Texas Monkeypox Patient's Death Is Likely 1st In U.S.

HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS — A monkeypox patient has died in Texas, according to health authorities. The person was the first with the disease to die in the state and the fatality is being widely reported as the first monkeypox-associated death in the U.S.

The patient was a severely immunocompromised adult living in Harris County, according to the state health department, which reported authorities are investigating what role monkeypox played in the death. The deceased had "various severe illnesses" when they died Sunday at a Harris County hospital, the county's public health system reported, adding the cause of death is unknown and autopsy results will be available in the coming weeks.

“We are sharing this information to err on the side of transparency and to avoid potential misinformation about this case,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a news release.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesperson confirmed the federal agency is aware of the Harris County death.

"It is important to remember that infections with the type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak — the Clade IIb — are rarely fatal," Press Officer Scott Pauley said in an email. "CDC continues to closely monitor the monkeypox outbreak and we are actively working with Texas officials to investigate this situation. Until the investigation is complete, it is premature to assign a specific cause of death."

Texas has seen over 1,600 cases of the illness, which began to spread globally earlier in 2022, according to the CDC. Nationwide, the CDC has recorded more than 18,000 cases.

"Currently, data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox outbreak," Pauley said. "However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk."

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that includes a painful rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, often with an earlier flu-like illness. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that are transmitted between species.

“Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems,” Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, said in a news release. “We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease.”

People should contact their health care provider if they have fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, according to the health department. Those diagnosed with monkeypox should stay home and avoid close contact with others until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

For most people, infection with monkeypox is painful but not life-threatening.

Monkeypox is a preventable disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person, according to the department. There are things people should do to help prevent the spread of monkeypox, the department advised, including:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with a new, unexplained rash.
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact in large crowds where people are wearing minimal clothing, such as nightclubs, festivals, raves, saunas and bathhouses.
• Do not share cups, utensils, bedding or towels with someone who is sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.

People who have been exposed to a known case of monkeypox are eligible to be vaccinated, the department reported. Some at high risk of infection may also be eligible for vaccination. Health care providers with patients at high risk of severe illness should work with their local health department to facilitate vaccination and treatment with an antiviral.

“The best way for us to fight this virus is through vaccines," Hidalgo said. "Our goal is still to get as many people who qualify vaccinated as quickly as possible — I have always felt that vaccines are the key to reducing spread.”