First Pediatric Monkeypox Case Detected In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County's first pediatric case of monkeypox was announced Friday morning by local health officials.

The western Riverside County child, who is under 10 years old, did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home, according to an update from Riverside University Health System-Public Health. Officials from the agency were notified this week about the preliminary positive test results and are trying to determine the source of the infection, RUHS reported.

“This case reminds everyone that MPX can impact anyone, regarding of age, gender or sexual orientation,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County.

Riverside County has reported about 256 probable/confirmed monkeypox cases in the county, the majority coming from the Coachella Valley. There have been a handful of cases reported in women, according to RUHS.

Last Friday, the number of cases in the county was 226, up from 198 the previous week. Find Riverside County's monkeypox statistics at www.rivcoph.org/mpx/Data. The site includes a breakdown of cases with city-by-city data.

The county declared a public health emergency in early August to focus attention on the virus. State and federal officials also proclaimed emergencies.

Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cuddling. It can also spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox can also spread by touching unlaundered materials, such as clothing and bedding, used by an infected person.

According to health officials, the monkeypox vaccine can prevent infection if given before or shortly after exposure to the virus. The county is working with community partners to expand eligibility for the two-shot vaccines to include at-risk individuals, and to set up treatment sites with Tecovirimat — an antiviral medication used to treat orthopoxvirus infections such as monkeypox.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health advise that the vaccine be prioritized for high-risk and exposed patients. Gay and bisexual men are at increased risk of contracting the virus, according to the CDC.