LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Los Angeles County and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials announced the first death of a person due to MPX in the region.
The Public Health Department described the patient as "severely immunocompromised" on Monday.
The department said it would not release any more information citing "confidentiality and privacy," but shared the agency's "heartfelt condolences and wishes of healing" to the person's family and friends.
Officials announced the death Thursday but had not determined whether MPX, also known as monkeypox, directly contributed. It's the second death in the U.S. believed to be monkeypox-related. The first person lived in Texas.
As of Thursday, there were 1,805 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox identified in the county, the vast majority of them involving gay men.
The health department Monday urged people who are severely immunocompromised and who suspect they have monkeypox to seek medical care and treatment early and remain under the care of a provider during their illness.
Monkeypox is generally spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, resulting from infectious rashes and scabs, though respiratory secretions and bodily fluids exchanged during extended physical episodes, such as sexual intercourse, can also lead to transmission, according to the CDC.
It can also be transmitted through the sharing of items such as bedding and towels.
Symptoms include fresh pimples, blisters, rashes, fever and fatigue. There is no specific treatment. People who have been infected with smallpox, or have been vaccinated for it, may have immunity to monkeypox.
According to health officials, the vaccine can prevent infection if given before or shortly after exposure to the virus.
City News Service contributed to this repot.
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