ALBANY, NY –
New York health officials are investigating a potential case of monkeypox after a patient tested positive for a family of viruses linked to the rare disease, state health officials announced. at the end of Friday.
The unidentified patient is currently in isolation and in intensive care while waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New York City public health officials said earlier they were investigating two potential cases of monkeypox, a virus rarely seen outside of Africa that can cause symptoms similar to those of monkeypox. flu.
The state Department of Health said it had ruled out one case.
“The other was positive for orthopoxvirus and contracted an illness similar to monkeypox,” the ministry said.
The city’s epidemiologists have begun reaching out to people who may have come into contact with the person.
The possible New York infection comes as the World Health Organization has identified about 80 cases globally and about 50 more suspected cases. Health officials in Massachusetts confirmed the first case of monkeypox on May 18.
The virus is native to primates and other wild animals, and causes fever, body aches, chills and fatigue in most patients. Severe cases may develop rashes and lesions on the face, hands, and other parts of the body.
