INDIANAPOLIS — A total of 45 cases of monkeypox, including two in children, were reported in Indiana between June 18 and July 29, the state Department of Health announced Friday.
Due to patient privacy, no other information about the cases will be released, health authorities said.
Since Indiana has received only 3,232 doses of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine so far, close contacts of positive cases are being given priority, the department reported. An additional vaccine is expected soon.
“Monkeypox is not easily spread through brief casual contact, but it is important to remember that anyone can be affected if they are a close contact of a positive case,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box. . “Indianans who believe they may have been exposed or develop symptoms consistent with monkeypox are urged to contact a health care provider,” he added.
Monkeypox typically begins with a fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion between five and 21 days after exposure, the health department said. Usually within one to three days after the fever appears, the patient develops a rash. The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.
People are considered infectious until all the scabs from the rash have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed, the department said.
More information is available at Indiana Department of Health website.
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