A New York City resident has tested positive for the virus that causes monkeypox, the city’s Health Department announced Friday night.
The unidentified patient is isolating and the case is being treated as positive pending final confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control, the department said.
NYC tested specimens from two patients under investigation for possible monkeypox. One case has been ruled out and another has been identified as positive for Orthopoxvirus, the family of viruses to which monkeypox belongs. Confirmation for monkeypox is pending @CDCgov testing.
— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) May 20, 2022
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New York City public health officials said Thursday they were investigating two possible cases of monkeypox, a rare virus rarely seen outside of Africa that can cause flu-like symptoms.
Tests ruled out the other case, the state Department of Health said.
The apparent infection in New York comes as the World Health Organization has identified about 80 cases worldwide and about 50 more suspected cases. Massachusetts health officials confirmed their first case of monkeypox on May 18.
New York City and state officials will try to determine how the New York patient became infected. City epidemiologists have begun contacting people who may have been in contact with the person.
The virus originates from primates and other wild animals and causes fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue in most patients. People with severe cases can develop rashes and lesions on the face, hands, and other parts of the body.
The Department of Health advises the use of masks that can protect against this virus and others such as COVID-19. It also asks that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms with swollen lymph nodes and a rash should contact their doctor.
Update on monkeypox in NYC:
One patient now presumed to be positive, pending sample being tested at CDC. Patient in isolation.
Health Dept advises:
* Masks can protect again monkeypox
* Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms, w/ swelling of lymph nodes & rash should contact doc pic.twitter.com/j3AwNt9dje— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) May 20, 2022
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Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with a virus related to those that cause smallpox and cowpox. It was first discovered in 1958, when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, giving rise to its name.
The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which still has the majority of infections. Other African countries where it has been found: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.
Cases reported outside of Africa have generally been linked to international travel or animals that have been imported.
The CDC is urging healthcare providers in the US to be vigilant for patients who have skin rashes consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have traveled or are at specific risk of contracting it.
However, health officials say the risk to the general population remains low.
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