1st Monkeypox Case Confirmed In Dutchess County

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Add Dutchess to the list of counties that have confirmed cases of monkeypox.

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health confirmed Thursday that a county resident tested positive for orthopoxvirus/monkeypox.

The test was confirmed by the state Department of Health, and county staff are monitoring the person, as well as conducting contact tracing.

While patient confidentiality prevents the department from sharing specific details about the individual case, officials said it does not pose a risk to the general public.

As of Thursday, according to the state, a total of 830 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases in New York: 778 in New York City and 23 in Westchester, 10 in Suffolk, four in Nassau, four in Monroe, two in Erie, one in Sullivan, one in Chemung, one in Rockland, one in St. Lawrence, one in Tompkins, one in Albany, one in Orange, one in Greene and one in Dutchess counties.

Health Commissioner Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado said the risk to the general public remains very low.

"While monkeypox has been making headlines, it is certainly not a pandemic and residents should not have undue concern," she said.

Santiago-Rosado said that saying informed about symptoms, how it spread and what to do if you are exposed is the best way to stay healthy and safe.

"We ask residents to remain vigilant about their personal hygiene and take the proper mitigation steps to protect their health," she said. "If a resident believes they have contracted monkeypox or are experiencing symptoms, they're urged to please contact their primary-care physician."

This virus, particularly in the recent cases currently being reported across the nation, is spread through close, physical contact including direct contact with infectious rash, scabs or body fluids as well respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face or intimate physical contact including kissing or sex.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends residents take the following steps to prevent getting monkeypox:

• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox;
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people with a rash that looks like monkeypox, or who may have been exposed to monkeypox;
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox or someone suspected or known to have been exposed;
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox or someone suspected or known to have been exposed;
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox or of someone suspected or known to have been exposed;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The CDC advises residents who become sick with monkeypox to:

• Isolate at home; and
• Stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible, if they have an active rash or other symptoms.

New Yorkers who may have been exposed to monkeypox in areas with high levels of transmission may be eligible for the JYNNEOS vaccine, indicated for prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk for infection. Vaccine supply from the federal government is currently limited, and eligibility is expected to expand as supply increases. More information can be found on the New York State Department of Health’s website.