Monkeypox Case Confirmed In Mecklenburg County: Officials

CHARLOTTE, NC — The first case of monkeypox in Mecklenburg County has been confirmed, county health officials announced Monday.

The patient is currently isolating at home, according to a news release from Mecklenburg County Public Health. No further information about the patient was released.

The first case of monkeypox in the state was reported Thursday by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral illness, is typically spread by skin-to-skin contact.  Infected people can suffer flu-like symptoms, swelling of lymph nodes and a rash with bumps that are initially filled with fluid before it scabs over. The symptoms could be confused with those of chicken pox or a sexually transmitted disease such as syphilis or herpes.

Mecklenburg public health officials are working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the patient's healthcare providers to notify people who may have come into contact with the patient while they were infectious, officials said.

See also:

• What Is Monkeypox? What You Need To Know

Dr. Raynard Washington, director of Mecklenburg County Public Health, said there were likely other cases of monkeypox in the county.

"It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox and to be vigilant," Washington said. "Individuals with concerning rashes should contact their healthcare provider.”

Monkeypox cases have been on the rise globally and in the United States. There have been 243 reported cases of monkeypox in the United States in 2022, according to the CDC. There are 62 known cases in California and 37 in New York.

There are 4,357 known cases globally, including 910 in the United Kingdom, 765 in Germany and 736 in Spain, according to the CDC.