The New York State Department of Health released a health advisory on Wednesday announcing the first confirmed case of a new strain of mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox. The case represents the first confirmed case of mpox clade Ib in New York State. The person infected with the new strain recently returned from Africa and is currently receiving medical attention.
No Local Transmission Reported
The department explained that the present public health risk is still low. There are no reported cases of local transmission of this strain in the community or anywhere else in New York State currently. Health officials are still keeping an eye on the situation, and there are no further reported cases of this strain in the state.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has confirmed that the person is getting proper medical attention and is isolated “until the full resolution of symptoms.” He further added that no known local transmission of pox clade Ib exists in the community where the person lives.
Vaccination Options for At-Risk Persons
Dr. McDonald assured the public that the JYNNEOS vaccine, a two-shot series for pox, is “likely to be effective” against this new variant. This vaccine is currently available to at-risk individuals, with the standing order signed last year to provide it to those in need. The department clarified that there is no imminent threat to the general public.
“People are urged to contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider to ask about vaccine availability,” McDonald said, as the department continues to closely monitor and manage the situation.
Mpox Symptoms and Prevention
Although pox is “seldom fatal,” it can be risky for individuals with compromised immune systems, older people, young children, and pregnant women. Symptoms are usually rashes that develop into painful skin lesions, as well as swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, headaches, back pain, low energy, and muscle pain. Transmission is most likely, according to the department, when the lesions are present and not until they become scabbed over.
“Mpox is transmissible through close, intimate contact with the sores, scabs, or rashes of an infected person, as well as through respiratory droplets, saliva, or mucus of an infected person,” the advisory added. The department strongly recommends infected people isolate until new skin has grown at the lesion site to avoid further transmission.
Travel and Global Spread of Mpox Clade Ib
As cases of pox continue to be reported in several countries, Dr. Myles Druckman, global medical director at International SOS, highlighted the global spread of this strain. ”
“We’re finding that other countries have also reported travel-associated cases of clade I, including Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Oman, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe,” Druckman told Fox News Digital.
Experts further cautioned that people intending to visit regions where cases of pox have been reported should seek the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine for protection.
Preventive Measures of Key Importance for Mpox
According to Dr. Druckman, mpox is potentially infectious for as long as four days before symptoms and, at its highest risk, for two to four weeks after onset of symptoms. He stressed that high-risk individuals, such as medical workers or individuals with weakened immune systems, are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.
Prevention of pox comes in the form of vaccination and keeping away from skin-to-skin contact with others, particularly those with signs or visible rashes. Regular personal hygiene practices such as constant handwashing must also be employed to lower transmission risks.
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