SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — As of June 7, the first case of orthopoxvirus/monkeypox was confirmed in Sullivan County, making it the ninth confirmed case in New York and the first confirmed case outside of New York City.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention initially identified all cases as incidences of orthopoxvirus, and later confirmed them as monkeypox.

The identified case in Sullivan County was initially tested for orthopoxvirus at the Wadsworth Center Laboratory, part of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The Sullivan County health department is currently treating the case as monkeypox and has contact-tracing underway.

“In concert with the New York State Department of Health, we continue to monitor this case, limited to just one individual, closely. There is no identified risk to any county residents, as the individual had traveled outside the USA and was no longer contagious by the time they returned to Sullivan County. As we have done with COVID-19, Sullivan County Public Health remains vigilant and ready to respond to communicable diseases of all types, and should there be any public health risk, we will promptly make notice to our residents and visitors,” said Sullivan County public health director Nancy McGraw.

Monkeypox belongs to the genus of orthopoxviruses. Other viruses related to the orthopoxviruses are the variola virus, which causes smallpox, and cowpox. The monkeypox virus is similar to smallpox as it begins with a fever, muscle aches, headaches and extreme fatigue; however, the critical difference is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell.

According to cdc.gov, after a fever, the patient will experience a rash that will start from the face and move down throughout the body. Previous studies show that cases last between two to four weeks.

The transmission of the virus appears to be spread via close contact with others. As studied in previous outbreaks, the virus does not transmit easily. However, it can spread through contact with sores, body fluids, contaminated objects and prolonged contact with body fluids such as respiratory droplets.

“As the risk for monkeypox remains low, we urge New Yorkers to be alert and seek care if you have symptoms consistent with monkeypox, as we continue to learn more about this virus,” said New York State health commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “Healthcare providers throughout the state have been notified. Our Wadsworth Center public health lab will continue to test for orthopoxvirus. We will work with local health departments and public health experts to protect New Yorkers.”

The NYSDOH has confirmed that healthcare providers have been alerted with information and a list of symptoms to accurately identify cases of the virus. If a patient shows signs, testing can be performed at the Wadsworth Center in Albany.

According to CDC.gov, the first monkeypox case was confirmed in Massachusetts on May 18, after a U.S. resident returned from Canada. Other countries that generally do not report cases of monkeypox are being closely monitored.

However, the NYSDOH advises that those experiencing symptoms “like rashes or lesions” that are closely related to monkeypox should seek medical screening. In addition, those who have traveled out of the country in areas where monkeypox has been recently reported and those in contact with someone who has been exposed or has the virus should obtain a risk assessment with their healthcare providers.

For more information, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/monkeypox/.