Texas confirms an adult diagnosed with monkeypox has died in what’s believed to be the nation’s first recorded fatality
Health officials in Texas are investigating what appears to be the first death linked to an individual with a confirmed case of monkeypox.
On Tuesday, an adult diagnosed with monkeypox died. However, officials say the individual had a severely compromised immune system.
Currently, health officials are still investigating what role monkeypox played in the person’s death.
While monkeypox is generally non-life threatening, people with compromised immune systems are considered “higher risk” of severe disease.
The U.S. is dealing with the largest monkeypox outbreak in the world right now, with more than 18,000 cases reported across the country.
According to CDC data, infections have been confirmed in every single state as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
As the U.S. battles this outbreak, health officials are hoping to contain it through the administration of vaccines, expanded testing, distribution of antiviral treatments, and education for gay and bisexual men about the virus.
“People with monkeypox may first develop symptoms including a flu-like illness with fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and enlarged lymph nodes followed by a rash,” explains Dr. Demetre Daskalalakis, Director of the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention.
“In recent cases, patients have developed localized rashes on or near the genitals or anus without prior flu-like symptoms,” he added.
“Anyone—regardless of gender or sexual orientation—can develop and spread monkeypox. Many of those affected in the current global outbreaks identify as gay or bisexual men. However, the current risk of exposure to monkeypox is not exclusive to gay and bisexual men in the United States,” he said.
