News Update

Long Beach child likely to be fifth in U.S. to contract monkeypox

Preliminary tests show that a Long Beach child has contracted monkeypox, announced the City of Long Beach Department in a press release Tuesday.

Tests indicated that the child tested positive for orthopoxvirus, associated with smallpox, monkeypox, cowpox and vaccinia virus. The Centers for Disease Control are conducting additional tests to confirm the monkeypox diagnosis.

The monkeypox outbreak has spread across several countries, including the United States. The viral disease usually last two to four weeks and is seldom fatal.

The child was symptomatic, but has recovered, according to the city.

“This is a reminder that everyone, regardless of age or sexual orientation, can get monkeypox if they come into contact with the virus,” stated the announcement.

The virus is spread through close or prolonged skin-to-skin contact, including hugging and kissing. It can also spread through contaminated materials such as cups, utensils, bedding, clothing and towels, according to the city’s health department.

People with monkeypox should follow the CDC’s guidance for limiting transmission in the home.

Symptoms of monkeypox typically include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.

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