Putnam Reports First Monkeypox Case

BREWSTER, NY — Putnam County reported its first monkeypox case Thursday.

"Communicable disease staff at the health department have now completed investigation of the first monkeypox case in Putnam County," Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD said. "The risk of contracting the disease for the general public remains low."

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that can cause severe illness, hospitalization and, rarely, death. It was declared a public health emergency in the United States Aug. 4 and has been reported in every state but Wyoming with 10,392 total confirmed cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.

In New York, most cases are in NYC, Westchester County and on Long Island. As of Wednesday, there were a total of 2,132 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases in New York according to state health data.

In the Hudson Valley:

• Dutchess County: 5
• Orange: 6
• Putnam: 1
• Rockland: 4
• Ulster: 2
• Westchester: 53

The virus is most often spread through direct contact with a rash or sores on an individual who has the virus. It can also spread through contact with clothing, bedding, and other items used by a person with monkeypox, or from respiratory droplets that can be passed through close contact. Transmission can occur during sex or other close physical contact. For more information on how monkeypox spreads and how you can protect yourself, go to the state health department's monkeypox website.

If you have come into contact with someone who has the disease, contact your health care provider.

Jurisdictions are allocated monkeypox vaccine doses based on need by the state health department. At this time, Putnam has not been allocated any JYNNEOS vaccine from New York State; however, Putnam residents who are considered at-risk for monkeypox are eligible for vaccination at sites nearby in Westchester County, Nesheiwat said.

"If any eligible resident encounters difficulty acquiring a monkeypox vaccine appointment, they should call the Putnam County Department of Health at 845-808-1390," Nesheiwat said.

SEE ALSO: Monkeypox Cases Increase By Over 25 Percent In New York: CDC