Texas has reported the first U.S. death of an individual diagnosed with monkeypox.
However, it’s unclear what role the pathogen played in the death of the adult.
The adult, who was a resident of Harris County, Texas, was ‘severely immunocompromised.’
“A person in Texas who was diagnosed with monkeypox and had a weak immune system has died, Texas state health officials said Tuesday, in what could be the first-known fatality from the virus in the U.S.,” The Wall Street Journal reported.
A person in Texas who was diagnosed with monkeypox and had a weak immune system has died, Texas state health officials said, in what could be the first-known fatality from the virus in the U.S. https://t.co/udGKapM91S
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 30, 2022
Texas reports first death of person with monkeypox in U.S. ****unless that border is close you will see many viruses come thru. We are talking about poor Countries that is why Covid is spreading again. You contain a virus not bring more in. https://t.co/5lmGkisfFX
— Catherine Runnals (@ctrunnals) August 30, 2022
The Texas Department of State Health Services issued the following press release:
The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first death of a person diagnosed with monkeypox in Texas. The patient was an adult resident of Harris County who was severely immunocompromised. The case is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death.
“Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS Commissioner. “We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease.”
People should contact their health care provider if they have fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash. People who are diagnosed with monkeypox should stay home and avoid close contact with others until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
For most people, infection with monkeypox is painful but not life threatening.
Monkeypox is a preventable disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person.
Axios reported:
The Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency earlier this month.
- Last month Spain and Brazil reported the first monkeypox-related deaths outside of Africa during the current outbreak.
- The U.S. has been contending with a limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine. To that end, the Biden administration struck an $11 million deal on Monday to support the domestic packaging of the vaccine and bolster supplies.
Meanwhile, there have already been reports of monkeypox breakthrough infections, which indicates the shot doesn’t prevent transmission and is garbage.
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