Incurable monkeypox reported but not here yet

Special to the Chronicle Health officials are watching 200 individuals in 27 states who may have monkeypox.

So far, no cases have been diagnosed in Lexington County or the state, according to the Department of Health and Enviormental Control.

A Texas man was confirmed to have incurable monkeypox after traveling overseas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

The patient flew into Atlanta, GA, July 9 from Lagos, Nigeria, and then went on to Dallas

The individuals being observed either know they were around him or were on the same flights.

None of them are considered high risk and so far no additional cases have been found.

The CDC said the risk to everyone else is low.

These are the signs and symptoms to look for:

• The illness begins with fever, head, muscle and back aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and feeling exhausted.

• In 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) you develop a rash, often beginning on your face then spreading to your body.

If you have any questions about how to keep from being infected, visit the CDC Prevention site.

There is no safe treatment for anyone who has contracted monkeypox.

Monkeypox may be spread with close contact with an infected person.

The disease can appear similar to chickenpox. Smallpox vaccine is believed to prevent infection.