Wayne County reports new MPOX case

WAYNE COUNTY, Michigan. – Wayne County Health Department (WCPH) reports one new case of MPOX.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close, personal and/or intimate contact with infectious rashes, scabs, or bodily fluids. It can also spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact.

Initial symptoms include a flu-like illness with fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and difficulty breathing, followed by the development of a rash that resembles pimples or blisters. Symptoms usually appear within 21 days of infection. A person is contagious from the moment symptoms begin until the scabs fall off and a fresh layer of skin forms (this usually takes two to four weeks).

The health department said the risk to the public is currently low because the disease does not spread easily between people. According to the health department, this is the 19th case in Michigan in 2024.

An Mpox vaccine is available and is recommended for people at risk or potentially at risk for Mpox. Anyone who has received only one dose should receive a second dose as soon as possible.

Mpox vaccinations are free and testing is available at little to no cost from the Wayne County Public Health Division by calling 734-727-7101.

For more information about the MPOX vaccine, see michigan.gov, waynecounty.com/mpoxAnd cdc.gov/mpox.

What is mpox?

According to the CDC, Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.

The virus belongs to the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. The symptoms of Mpox are similar to those of smallpox, but are milder and rarely fatal.

The disease was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks occurred in monkey colonies kept for research purposes. The cause of the disease is still unknown today. The first case in humans was registered in 1970.

Virus types

There are two types of Monkeypox virus: Clade I and Clade II, according to CDC:

• Clade I causes more severe disease and death. In some outbreaks, up to 10% of those infected have died, although more recent outbreaks have seen lower mortality rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa.

• Clade II iis the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections with clade II mpox are less severe. More than 99.9% of people survive. Clade II is endemic in West Africa.

Symptoms of MPOX

People with Mpox often get a rash that can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth, or near the genitals, including the penis, testicles, labia, vagina and anus. The incubation period is 3–17 days. During this time, a person has no symptoms and may feel fine.

• The rash goes through several stages, including crusting, before it heals.

• The rash may initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of MPOX may include:

• Fever

• chills

• Swollen lymph nodes

• exhaustion

• Muscle pain and back pain

• Headache

• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, stuffy nose or cough)

You may experience all or some of the symptoms.

For more information about the distribution of mpox, see CDC.com.