Monkeypox in South Florida: First presumptive case reported by Broward County – South Florida Sun Sentinel

Florida’s first presumptive case of monkeypox was identified on Sunday. And health officials say it’s in Broward County.

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County said the case is related to international travel and that the person remains in isolation. The department said it has not identified any additional cases.

Health officials are conducting investigations to notify any possible exposures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also investigating the case.

On Friday, the CDC issued an health advisory after individual cases of monkeypox were found in Massachusetts and New York. Since May 14, clusters of monkeypox have been reported globally, according to the Florida Department of Health.

People who have received the smallpox vaccine likely have cross-protection against monkeypox, the Florida Department of Health said, adding that the risk of exposure remains low because “human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.”

The virus originates in primates and other wild animals, and causes fever, body aches, chills and fatigue in most patients. People with severe cases can develop rash and lesions on the face, hands and other parts of the body.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.