2 More Monkeypox Cases Presumed In Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County health officials identified two more presumed monkeypox cases Friday, bringing the county's total two four cases. The two new patients had a recent travel history that may have exposed them to the infection. Despite the additional cases, authorities do not believe Los Angeles is at risk of a monkeypox outbreak.

County health officials, again, insisted that "the risk of monkeypox in the general population remains very low."

The county's two newest patients are in isolation.

"They are symptomatic but doing well," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a written statement.

The department released few detauls about he patients or their travel. One of the cases has been confirmed as monkeypox by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the county was still awaiting confirmation on the other three.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, and it does not occur naturally in the US., according to health officials. However, multiple cases began poppping up in the United States over the last few weeks.

The virus is not easily spread. A person can become infected when they come into contacy with an infected person or animal or into contact with materials such as clothing or bedding.

"The virus typically enters the body through broken skin, respiratory droplets, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Because of this, transmission may also occur during sex through skin-to-skin and other intimate contact," according to the county health department.

The infection can cause lesser symptoms such as fever and body aches before developing into a rash that spreads across the body.

Since monkeypox cases are usually more common in African nations, its appearance in the United States and more than a dozen other countries has generated headlines, particularly among a populace weary of the COVID-19 pandemic. But health officials insist COVID is far more infectious than monkeypox.

L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said last week that spread of the illness "requires close contact with an infected person or with belongings that the infected person has used."

"Am I worried we're going to have a massive outbreak of monkeypox? No," she said.

Health officials said the infection spreads through contact with bodily fluids, monkeypox sores or shared items such as bedding or clothing that were contaminated with fluids. It can also be transmitted through saliva and sexual contact.

Most people who develop monkeypox have only mild illness that goes away within two to four weeks without treatment.

People with symptoms are urged to visit a medical provider, cover the rash area with clothing, wear a mask and avoid close or skin-to-skin contact with others.

The CDC particularly recommends those steps for people who recently traveled to an area where monkeypox cases have been reported, or who have had contact with a confirmed or suspected monkeypox cases. A full list of countries that have confirmed monkeypox cases is available at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/monkeypox.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.