Monkeypox cases have grown from three in Texas last month to 81 now.
, for example, reported its first probable case Wednesday, and to give you a little perspective, just last month there were three cases of Monkeypox in the entire state of Texas. Now that number has grown to 81 across the state with nearly 30 Monkeypox cases here in Houston and Harris County.EXPLAINER:Some indicators you have the illness could include.
"Flu-like symptoms, a fever, body aches, fatigue, sore throat but some people don’t experience that at all. The illness can last anywhere from 14 to 21 days," Dr. Brown says. Dr. Amesh Adalja from the John Hopkins Center for Health Security answers questions about monkeypox testing, how it spreads, and vaccinations.
There have now been 26 cases of monkeypox in Houston/Harris County as an outbreak of the disease spreads across the country in 43 states so far according to the CDC. Some who become ill also break out in a painful rash that can look like blisters. "It can be in various stages. So pimple-like, blister-like. Some can be crusted over. The key is, if there’s an unknown rash that is a little bit painful it’s time to get checked out," Dr. Brown adds, and she says Monkeypox is spread through direct contact. "Most often sexual contact, as is the case with the cases that we have here in the state of Texas and most of the cases throughout the country. It can also be spread through animals, hence the name Monkeypox.
Dr. Brown says you can also contract Monkeypox from contact with clothing and bedding that have fluid from the rash. So should we be concerned with hotel stays and vacation rentals? "Typically no. Hotels and vacation rentals most often have procedures to clean their linens in between guests and as long as that is happening there really is low risk," answers Dr. Brown. Monkeypox can affect any person of any sexuality.