SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Bay Area health officials are reporting more likely cases of monkeypox, including Alameda County's first suspected case and three more in San Francisco.
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The unidentified Alameda County resident has already tested positive for orthopox – the larger family of viruses that contains -pox animal viruses like smallpox. The patient had "close contact" with another individual who's also tested positive for orthopox, officials explained.
San Francisco's first confirmed case came earlier this month.
The three additional cases bring the city's total to four suspected cases.
An estimated 40 Americans have probable or confirmed cases of the virus.
"Alameda County is prepared to respond to this and possible future cases," Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said in a news release on Thursday. "Health officials are monitoring updates from the CDC and CDPH as the situation evolves."
In this 1971 Center For Disease Control handout photo, monkeypox-like lesions are shown on the arm and leg of a female child in Bondua, Liberia.Getty Images
The virus, which enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, the eyes, nose, or mouth, leads patients to experience flu-like symptoms and a rash on their face, extremities or genital area.
Most cases are mild, but some can lead to severe illness.
Vaccines are available to treat it.
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