Idaho Identifies First Likely Monkeypox Case, Health Officials Say

BOISE, ID — Idaho health officials on Wednesday said they identified the state's first likely case of monkeypox.

The person, who lives in the Central District Health area, is recovering after contracting the infection while traveling to a country experiencing a monkeypox outbreak, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said in a news release.

State and local public health authorities are working with the patient’s healthcare providers and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the patient receives appropriate treatment, and that any potential contacts are identified and notified.

Initial sample tests were performed at the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories. Samples have been sent to the CDC for confirmation of monkeypox virus, and results are expected in the next few days.

Monkeypox usually causes a mild illness, and most people recover on their own. Antivirals are available through the federal government for patients who might have severe disease or develop complications. Individuals with monkeypox should isolate until their lesions have healed.

Monkeypox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is usually found in several countries in Africa. An international outbreak was first reported in May, with most of the cases likely from the virus spreading between people. As of July 5, over 6,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported outside of Africa, including 560 cases in the United States. None of the people identified with monkeypox in the United States have died.

“This is a virus that does not naturally occur in the United States,”Victoria O’Dell, staff epidemiologist with Central District Health, said in a statement. “The cases we have seen in the U.S. and the one possible case in Idaho have been associated with international travel or importing animals from areas where the disease is more common.”

Monkeypox is contagious and spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids. It can also spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Some people will have flu-like symptoms — such as a fever, body aches, and chills — and may have swollen lymph nodes in the days before a rash appears. The rash may start on any body part as small, red spots. They can become firm and circular with a defined border, and may become pus-filled with an indentation (like a dot) in the middle. Someone with monkeypox is contagious from the time their symptoms begin until all lesions have healed and fresh skin has formed.

“We are reminding people to look out for new spots, ulcers, or blisters on any part of their body,” Dr. Christine Hahn, public health medical director and state epidemiologist, said in a statement. “If anyone suspects they might have monkeypox, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible--although please phone ahead before going in person.”

People who may be at higher risk of monkeypox include anyone who has had contact with someone with a rash that looks like monkeypox, had skin-to-skin contact with someone in an environment with monkeypox activity, traveled outside the U.S. to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox, had contact with a dead or live animal that is found in Africa, or has used a product derived from such animals.

Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's Europe chief, recently warned that monkeypox cases in the region tripled in the last two weeks, The Associated Press reported. He urged countries to do more to ensure the previously rare disease does not become entrenched on the continent

Kluge said in a statement that increased efforts were needed despite the U.N. health agency's decision last week that the escalating outbreak did not yet warrant being declared a global health emergency.

“Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease,” Kluge said.