Health Department reports new monkeypox cases
This image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) shows a colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles (red) found within an infected cell (blue), cultured in the laboratory that was captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. In Shelby County, Tennessee, authorities have reported four monkeypox cases. (NIAID via AP)
As of Tuesday, Aug. 2, a total of four presumptive monkeypox cases have been reported in Shelby County, according to the local health department.
The Shelby County Health Department said the four people are isolated at home and that the department is working to reach any close contacts who may have been exposed to offer them testing or vaccination.
Shelby County reported its first confirmed case of monkeypox on Monday, July 25, marking the 18th reported case in Tennessee.
The Department of Health received a limited supply of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine and will provide it to identified contacts on an as-needed basis.
Identified contacts must meet the following criteria:
- Known contacts who were identified by public health via case investigation, contract tracing and risk exposure assessments.
- Are aware that a sexual partner was diagnosed with monkeypox in the past 14 days.
- Have had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in a jurisdiction with known monkeypox outbreak.
The public is advised to be alert for the appearance of any new rashes characterized by sores, bumps or fluid-filled bumps.
The local health department said the public should seek medical evaluation from a primary care physician or other health care provider if they have symptoms or concerns.
A full list of symptoms and ways the virus is spread can be found here.
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Shelby County Health Deparatment monkeypox Jynneos monkeypox vaccineJasmine McCraven
Jasmine McCraven considers herself to be a music enthusiast and believes that she makes the best playlists ever. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State, but couldn’t wait to move back home to Memphis for the best food and culture in Tennessee.
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