WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Winnebago County has confirmed its first case of monkeypox.
The Winnebago County resident is currently in isolation and working with the health department to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.
Officials say the virus spreads mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who is infected with monkeypox, and does not spread easily from person to person.
Monkeypox is transmitted through respiratory droplets, sustained skin-to-skin contact, and contact with items that have been contaminated with the fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox.
While monkeypox is not typically fatal, it can be very painful and scarring. Other early symptoms of monkeypox include fever, chills and swollen lymph nodes.
Most people with monkeypox recover in two to four weeks without needing treatment. However, vaccinations and antiviral medications can be used to help prevent and treat monkeypox.
If you have been exposed to monkeypox, talk with your health care provider about the vaccine. If you do not have a regular source of health care, confidential support finding health care and community resources near you is available by dialing 211 or 877-947-2211, or texting your ZIP code to 898-211. Online resources are available at211Wisconsin.org.
To prevent the spread of monkeypox, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services encourages all Wisconsinites to:
- Know the symptomsand risk factors of monkeypox. Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to get tested, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who are showing a rash or skin sores. Don’t touch the rash or scabs, and don’t kiss, hug, cuddle, have sex, or share items such as eating utensils or bedding with someone with monkeypox.
- In locations where monkeypox is spreading, participating in activities with close, personal, skin-to-skin contact may pose a higher risk of exposure.
- If you were recently exposed to the virus, contact a doctor to talk about treatment and vaccine options to help reduce symptoms or the onset of the disease. Monitor your health for fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash, and contact a healthcare provider if any of those occur. If you become ill, avoid contact with others until you receive health care.
- If you are sick with monkeypox, isolate at home until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. If you need support to remain in isolation, call the health department.
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