2 Probable Monkeypox Cases Reported In Polk County, 1 More In Pinellas

POLK COUNTY, FL — Two probable cases of monkeypox have been reported in Polk County, bringing the number of Tampa Bay cases to four.

Patch reported last week that Pinellas County confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Tampa Bay. Since then, a second probable case has been reported in Pinellas County, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The two people in Pinellas County are believed to have contracted the disease in Florida. The Florida Department of Health said one of the probable cases in Polk County was contracted in Florida and the origin of the other case is unknown.

The ages of the two people in Pinellas County are 30 to 34 and 40 to 44 while the age of the two people in Polk County are 45 to 49 and 65 to 69.

In all, 57 confirmed and probable cases have been reported in Florida with the most (30 cases) occurring in Broward County. Miami-Dade County has the next largest amount of cases (13 cases).

Related stories:

• 1st Case Of Monkeypox In Tampa Bay Confirmed In Pinellas County
• Monkeypox In U.S.: What Florida Residents Should Know
• Monkeypox Outbreak Expanding In U.S., Including In Florida And Across The Globe
• Feds Expand Monkeypox Vaccine Access: Will Florida Get Doses?

The DOH said monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that occurs mostly in central and western Africa, but can show up in other parts of the world.

In fact, until the last couple of months, there were rarely any significant outbreaks of the disease outside the African continent.

The monkeypox virus can be transmitted from animals to humans, especially African rodents and monkeys.

Once a person becomes infected with the monkeypox virus, he or she can pass it to other people, although it is not considered a very contagious disease and the risk of contracting it is generally low.

Monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, tiredness, muscle aches) and swelling of the lymph nodes. It progresses to a rash on the face and body. The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged face-to-face contact with someone with an active rash, or indirect contact with contaminated items of someone with a rash, such as clothing.

It can be treated with a vaccine.

Click here to see where monkeypox cases have been confirmed in Florida.