AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Local health officials are investigating what they're calling a presumptive case of monkeypox - the first known case in Travis County.
Austin Public Health, in a statement Friday afternoon, said it is coordinating with the Texas Department of State Health Services and CDC as a part of the ongoing investigation and to confirm the presumptive case.
The resident did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home, officials said. APH Epidemiologists are conducting contract tracing and reaching out to people who had direct close contact with the resident while infectious.
Officials say the resident came in close contact with someone who had traveled from out of state who is also under investigation for a monkeypox infection.
"While the threat of monkeypox remains low, we recommend that all Travis County residents be aware and seek medical care if you believe you have symptoms of the virus,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “While our local healthcare providers are working with epidemiologists to monitor the virus, the community should continue the hygiene practices we know work such as handwashing and minimizing skin-to-skin contact, especially with those showing rashes or sores.”
According to Austin Public Health, Monkeypox is rare and does not spread easily between people without close contact. The virus can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids; through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex; or by touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.
Symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands/palms, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
At least five cases have been confirmed so far in the State of Texas. The state's first case this year was confirmed earlier this month in Dallas; a second and third case have also been confirmed in Dallas County.