Health officials in Texas, USA, have confirmed the first death of a “severely immunocompromised” person diagnosed with monkeypox.
The nation’s Department of State Health Services (DSHS) declared in its website Tuesday that the case, which involved an adult Harris County resident, is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death.
“Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems,” DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt was quoted as saying in the statement.
The official said: “We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease.”
The statement added that people should contact their health care provider if they have a fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and a new, unexplained rash.
“People diagnosed with monkeypox should stay home and avoid close contact with others until the rash has completely resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of intact skin has formed.” , he pointed.
monkeypox deaths
The patient’s death is the first in the US publicly reported by health authorities in the current outbreak of monkeypox.
The global map of the monkeypox outbreak by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) shows that as of August 30, 15 deaths have been reported in eight countries, with five in those not endemic for the virus.
West African countries Nigeria and Ghana topped the list with four and three deaths respectively, followed by the Central African Republic and Spain with two cases each.
The global map shows that four countries: Ecuador, Cuba, India and Brazil reported a single death each.
monkeypox infections
While CDC data shows more deaths in monkeypox-endemic countries, non-endemic countries account for more than half of the infections in the current outbreak.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases, but anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close and personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.
statistics they also show that as of August 30, 49,974 monkey cases have been reported in 99 countries, of which the United States of America led with 18,416 cases.