1st Monkeypox Cases Appear In Hillsborough; Pinellas Now Reporting 9

TAMPA BAY, FL — Cases of monkeypox have begun to climb, with the first three cases now reported in Hillsborough County, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Additionally, the number of cases in Pinellas County has risen to nine, while the number of cases in Polk County has remained at two throughout the month. So far, there have been no cases reported in Pasco County.

The latest data from the FDOH shows that, of the three cases of monkeypox in Hillsborough County, one patient is 30 to 34 years old, one is 35 to 39 years old and one is 50 to 54 years old.

In Pinellas, the ages range from 2o to 54.

Nevertheless, the number of Tampa Bay cases are nowhere near the amount of monkeypox experienced in South Florida.

Broward County is now reporting 103 cases and Miami-Dade 51 cases.

Overall, there have been 196 cases of monkeypox reported in Florida, which outpaces the total number of cases reported nationwide just three weeks ago — 173 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC, which is tracking several countries that don't normally report monkeypox, including the U.S., is continuing to refer to the cases as an "outbreak."

There's now been 1,972 cases reported in the United States. To date, the greatest number of cases (521) have been in New York, followed by California (267 cases), Illinois (200 cases) and Florida.

Note: the CDC reports 180 cases in Florida, seven more than the FDOH is reporting.

See related stories:

• 1st Case Of Monkeypox In Tampa Bay Confirmed In Pinellas County
• 2 Probable Monkeypox Cases Reported In Polk County, 1 More In Pinellas
• Monkeypox In U.S.: What Florida Residents Should Know
• Monkeypox Outbreak Expanding In U.S., Including In Florida And Across The Globe
• Feds Expand Monkeypox Vaccine Access: Will Florida Get Doses?

The center said monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox, and the CDC recommends a vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to monkeypox.

The DOH said monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that occurs mostly in central and western Africa, but can show up in other parts of the world.

The monkeypox virus can be transmitted from animals to humans, especially African rodents and monkeys.

Once a person becomes infected with the monkeypox virus, he or she can pass it to other people, although it is not considered a very contagious disease and the risk of contracting it is generally low.

Monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, tiredness, muscle aches) and swelling of the lymph nodes. It progresses to a rash on the face and body. The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged face-to-face contact with someone with an active rash, or indirect contact with contaminated items of someone with a rash, such as clothing.