For the week of August 1st through August 7th, Denton County Public Health (DCPH) identified five new positive cases of monkeypox in Denton County. This brings the countywide total to 15 monkeypox cases.
No further personal information will be released to protect patient confidentiality. DCPH is investigating these cases and working to identify individuals who may have had direct contact with the patients.
Any person can contract monkeypox, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Monkeypox transmission occurs through close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox, including contact with objects contaminated with the virus from contact with an infected person. Monkeypox is primarily spread through contact with infectious sores, scabs, or bodily fluids. The virus can spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.
Monkeypox often begins with fever, intense headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. The time from infection to developing symptoms is usually 7 – 14 days; however, individuals may develop symptoms 5 – 21 days after exposure. Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider and avoid gatherings, sex, or being intimate with anyone until they consult their healthcare provider.
There is currently limited monkeypox vaccine supply available. DCPH is working collaboratively with healthcare providers and other local health departments to identify high-risk contacts of confirmed or probable monkeypox cases. Vaccination may be offered to high-risk contacts as post-exposure prophylaxis and will be coordinated by DCPH. Monkeypox vaccination is not currently recommended for the general public.
Beginning this week, DCPH will provide a weekly press release on Mondays with totals of new monkeypox cases in Denton County. Please visit dentoncounty.gov/monkeypox for daily updates and more information about monkeypox.
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