5 Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In Howard County: Official

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As of Aug. 10, 236 monkeypox cases had been confirmed in Maryland with at least five of those monkeypox cases located in Howard County.

Last week, the White House declared monkeypox a public health emergency, which allows for additional funding and resources to be used to fight the outbreak.

Howard County officials will distribute the Jynneos vaccine to those who have been in close contact with individuals diagnosed with monkeypox or those who have suspected cases, Howard County health officer Dr. Maura Rossman told The Baltimore Sun.

The Howard County Health Department has distributed one dose each to two different people in the county who “were identified as close contacts," the newspaper reported.

What are the symptoms?
According to the Howard County Health Department, monkeypox presents with flu-like symptoms within 5 -21 days after being infected. A rash may develop within 1-3 days after a fever. However, in the current outbreak, many people are not experiencing the flu-like symptoms and the rash might be the first sign of the infection.

Some symptoms include:
• A rash that progresses through different stages (flat spots, raised bumps, pimples and blisters) on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest and private areas.
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backaches
• Swollen glands
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Rectal pain or bleeding

Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms and others only experience a rash. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

Read more at The Baltimore Sun