PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A second person in Philadelphia has tested positive for the monkeypox virus, based on preliminary testing and identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said they were informed Tuesday morning of a resident who tested positive for orthopoxvirus.
Until the CDC officially gives confirmation, the department is calling it a “probable case,” citing preliminary testing from a clinic outside the city. Officials aren’t sharing much information for reasons of privacy.
Health officials added that there’s still an “extremely low” threat of spread.
This is the second positive case reported in Philadelphia, with the first one confirmed about two weeks ago, but officials say there’s no known connection between the two cases.
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According to the CDC, there are at least 72 confirmed cases in the U.S.
Health officials are reminding people not to panic as monkeypox is not highly contagious, nor does it have a high risk of death.
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Some symptoms of monkeypox include fever, fatigue, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, and unexplained rashes combined with a flu-like illness.
Experts say monkeypox is spread through very close contact. The city said that if people experience symptoms, they should get checked out and otherwise stay home.
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