First Case Of Monkeypox Identified In Alabama

MOBILE, AL — The Alabama Department of Public Health on Friday says state public health officials and the Mobile County Health Department have identified the first case of monkeypox virus infection in Alabama.

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ADPH says both organizations remain on alert for additional cases.

In a press release on Friday, ADPH explained that the patient’s specimen was tested by the ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories, which is part of the Laboratory Response Network tasked with responding to public health emergencies.

Thus far in the United States, ADPH says approximately 1,470 cases have been identified in 44 states, with more expected in the coming days, weeks and months.

"Monkeypox does not spread easily from person to person," the state health department said on Friday. "But close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact appears to be the primary mode of transmission in the current global outbreak. It is possible that contact with materials used by infected persons, such as clothing and linens, can be a way to contract the virus. The virus typically enters the body through broken skin, respiratory droplets, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth)."

What's more, Alabama public health officials say symptoms in this most current outbreak have not been as typical as in previous cases of monkeypox. Rather, ADPH says those infected with the virus will have a rash that starts out as flat spots. This rash will then be followed by raised spots, then vesicles that are deep-seated with a tiny spot in the middle that may be itchy or painful.

ADPH also said the rash may only be on one part of the body, with some people only having the rash and not other symptoms such as fever, flu-like illness, headache, muscle aches, or fatigue.

Experts say the time between exposure to the virus and when the illness begins is about 7-14 days, but can last as long as 21 days.

ADPH then provided the following instructions to avoid contracting the virus:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, clothing, or towels of a person who has monkeypox.
• Have persons with monkeypox isolate away from others.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with ill people who have monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with animals that could have the virus (such as animals that are sick or that have been found dead).

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