JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) — New Jersey's first probable case of monkeypox has been identified in Jersey City as the state's health department said Monday that the public's risk "remains low."
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The person, who the department said was only a resident of North Jersey, tested positive on Saturday for orthopoxvirus, with which monkeypox is associated.
Health officials said a confirmatory test for the monkeypox virus will now be conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There was no other information provided on the condition of the person who tested positive, only that they are being isolated at home and that contract tracing is being done to determine who else may have been exposed.
"The Department of Health believes that the risk to New Jerseyans remains low," officials said.
However, Jersey City's official Facebook account announced that the patient lives in the city.
"Our health officials are working closely with the CDC," the post added. "In an effort to keep you informed and updated, we will post any further information here as needed."
Monkeypox has been identified in 20 states and the District of Columbia. It can spread through close, prolonged contact with an affected person or animal.
It originates in primates and other wild animals and causes fever, body aches, chills and fatigue in most patients. People with severe cases can develop a rash and lesions on the face, hands and other parts of the body.
The World Health Organization has said people with monkeypox could be infectious for up to four weeks and advised them to isolate until they have completely recovered.
The smallpox-related disease is commonly found in parts of central and west Africa. But this year, 1,880 infections have been reported in more than 30 countries where monkeypox isn’t typically found.
The WHO is convening an emergency meeting this week to determine whether the outbreak should be considered a global health emergency.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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