GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — As Monkeypox cases rise across the country, local health organizations are stepping up in an effort to keep people as safe as possible.
While the virus hasn’t led to any deaths in the United States, it is extremely painful.
Andi Hume with Bellin Health says there is a vaccine available for the virus, which has long been endemic in Africa, but it’s only being given selectively.
“There is vaccine available locally, and if someone contacts us and believes they’ve been exposed, we coordinate with public health to help get them the vaccine,” said Hume. “The people who have exposure, or think they were at an event where they think they may have been exposed, that’s who are getting vaccinated right now.”
The disease is spreading primarily among men who have sex with other men, but can be passed to anyone who has prolonged physical exposure to an infected person.
There are no cases reported in Brown County, yet.
“It’s likely we may see some cases here, but I think that’s why it’s so important to get the information out there to the public so they know what to look for.”
Several cases have been reported in the Fox Valley.
Monkeypox infection has a number of symptoms, including lymph node swelling, fever, joint paint, and a characteristic rash.
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