7/11/22 - First Probable Case of Monkeypox Shows up in Kent County

The individual is currently isolating but the Health Department is still searching for personal contacts.

The first probable case of Monkeypox has turned up in Kent County and the individual is currently isolating.  The health department says they are monitoring close contacts for any signs of infection.

The department released a statement saying the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services notified the department but didn't say exactly when.  There are no other known cases in Kent County at this time.

The department released a statement about the disease. 

"Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease that has an incubation time of one to two weeks after exposure. Symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, muscle aches, and exhaustion followed by a rash and lesions often beginning on the face one to three days after the onset of illness. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. The virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with bodily fluids or monkeypox lesions. Less common routes of transmission include respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding. The KCHD recommends anyone experiencing monkeypox symptoms to contact their healthcare provider."

There are no known cures but the disease is close enough to the smallpox virus that treatments may be similar.  The department is continuing to monitor the situation and there is no reason for a wide-spread vaccination effort.

For more information, visit Monkeypox Update in Kent County.