Monkeypox infections are increasing across the nation, and the first case to be identified in Mississippi is linked to out-of-state travel according to the Department of Health. The disease, a variant of smallpox, is transmitted by physical contact, and experts say people should avoid known contaminated objects. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says the disease’s most common symptom is a rash, but it can take several different forms.
Dr. Byers says “It can start out as flat, but it can also be blisters, or it can look like pimples, and typically it will be in several parts of the body. It can start of the face, but it can also be on the extremities, it can be on the hands, it can be in the genitals, and for some folks it can be a very painful rash.”
Dr. Byers adds that the disease can transmit equally to anyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
There are vaccines available that can help protect those who have already been exposed to the disease. But health officials say the state currently has around 300 doses and there is no definitive timeline for when more will be available. Dr. Byers says these vaccines will be reserved for those who are confirmed contacts until supplies increase.
He says “People that we identify that are known contacts to a known monkeypox case, we can provide vaccination and that can help prevent those individuals from developing an infection.”
Only one case has been identified in Mississippi, and health experts say they are capable of performing contact tracing of potential outbreaks.
