NY confirms first case of monkeypox in a juvenile

monkeypox
People walk by a health care facility that is administering the monkeypox vaccine by appointment on August 5, 2022 in New York City. Both the World Health Organization and the Biden administration has declared monkeypox a public health emergency as cases on the rise across the US. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — New York State confirmed the first case of monkeypox in someone under the age of 18, according to Department of Health data.

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The child or teenager lives outside of New York City, though the report did not specify where specifically the case was recorded.

New York City remains the epicenter of the outbreak nationwide, and most cases outside the city in New York are downstate.

About 25% of monkeypox cases in the U.S. are in New York City with the most cases in Manhattan and Brooklyn — at 1,104 and 576 cases respectively.

There were 2,596 cases statewide as of Friday.

Men make up 97% of NYC cases in which gender is known, and 66% of patients who disclosed their sexuality identified as LGBTQ+.

Monkeypox is spread through skin-to-skin contact. The DOH recommends isolating at home for those who contract the disease.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images