Case Of Monkey Pox Identified In Hudson County: Officials

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A probable case of monkey pox has been identified in Jersey City, city officials said Monday.

The state had announced earlier that the first probable case had been confirmed in New Jersey, and the city elaborated.

"The NJ Health Dept has confirmed the first case of monkey pox in Jersey City," the city of Jersey City said in a message. "Please visit the NJ Health Dept site, which is set up to provide all necessary info."

"The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) today announced the first probable case of monkeypox in the state," the state wrote. "A PCR test conducted by the Department’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories confirmed the presence of orthopoxvirus in a North Jersey individual on June 18. A confirmatory test for the monkeypox virus – one of the viruses associated with the orthopoxvirus genus – will be done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The Department of Health believes that the risk to New Jerseyans remains low."

The person with the case is isolating, the state said.

"Most New Jersey residents are not at risk of infection with monkeypox," the state wrote. "Monkeypox is rare but can spread through close prolonged contact with an infected person or animal."

They noted, "As a precaution, any New Jersey residents who experience flu-like illness with swelling of lymph nodes and rash occurring on the face and body should contact their healthcare provider."

Information on symptoms is here.

The first recent case in the United States was confirmed in Massachusetts in May.

Health experts have said it's rarely fatal.

In Jersey City

The city of Jersey City added, "Our health officials are working closely with the CDC. In an effort to keep you informed and updated, we will post any further information here as needed."

"Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus," the state explains on its website. "Monkeypox can affect anyone, but cases are most often found in Africa. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)."

"Monkeypox does not occur naturally in the United States, but rarely, cases have occurred that were associated with international travel or importing animals from areas were the disease is more common. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body."