NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- One patient in New York City tested positive for an Orthopoxvirus, the family of viruses to which monkeypox belongs, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced on Friday.
The CDC is carrying out further testing to identify whether the patient is indeed infected with monkeypox, which has been spreading in Europe.
The patient is being treated as if they are positive while they await further testing, and is currently in isolation.
The first case in the United States was identified in Massachusetts on Wednesday and the CDC issued an alert on Friday warning state health departments to be vigilant for cases.
A second patient who health officials suspected of having monkeypox in New York City tested negative on Friday.
Monkeypox is characterized by flu-like symptoms, pustules, swollen lymph nodes and rashes. It can be fatal for up to one in 10 patients and is more severe in children.
Several smallpox vaccines have proven to be effective at mitigating the spread of monkeypox.
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