First monkeypox case found in Washtenaw County

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – The first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in a Washtenaw County resident, according to county health department officials.

This individual recently traveled out of state, experienced an exposure and developed symptoms, Washtenaw County Health Department officials said in a Thursday, July 21 news release.

There are no close contacts associated with this person, they are currently isolating out of state and do not pose a public risk, officials said.

There are 19 confirmed monkeypox cases identified in Michigan as of July 20, officials said. While a low risk for the general public, but it can lead to flu-like symptoms and rashes around the body, officials said.

Read more: Macomb, Washtenaw report monkeypox cases as state’s count reaches 19

Monkeypox is spread through direct contract with infectious rashes, scabs, bodily fluids or prolonged face-to-face contact, officials said. It is not spread via airborne particles.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and backaches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and rashes that can look like pimples or blisters that appear all over the body, officials said.

The viral illness is contagious until the rash and scabs have fallen off, officials said, with symptoms generally lasting two to four weeks after infection, officials said. Symptoms may not appear until a week or two after exposure, officials said.

While early data suggests that men who have sex with men make up a high number of initial cases, officials said that anyone with prolonged skin-to-skin contact can contract and spread the illness.

Thee are no treatments tailormade for monkeypox, though antiviral medications such as tecovirimat may help immunocompromised individuals, officials said.

Monkeypox vaccines may be administered within four to 14 days after an exposure to help prevent the progression of the illness, officials said. Vaccine supplies are very limited in Michigan, so health officials stress that they are prioritized for people experiencing an exposure.

For monkeypox testing information, contact your health care provider or call the Washtenaw County Health Department by phone at 734-544-6700.

For more information on the illness, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website, the county health department’s sites in English and Spanish and the CDC’s “Monkeypox 2022 response” webpage.

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