HOUSTON – Officials from the Houston Health Department confirmed the first case of monkeypox is now in the Houston area.
The city’s health department announced the case on Saturday, saying the person who lives in Houston started to develop symptoms after traveling internationally.
Health officials say they did not need to be hospitalized and are now isolated at home.
The Houston Health Department says the threat remains low to those in the area.
Additionally, officials with the Harris County Public Health later announced that an out-of-state resident was also diagnosed with the virus. That person has reportedly since left the county and has returned to their home state.
Epidemiologists will be reaching out to those who had close contact with the individuals.
“Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal. It can also be transmitted from person to person by inhaling large respiratory droplets or through close contact with body fluids and lesions, as well as bedding and other contaminated materials,” according to information provided by Harris County Public Health.
Monkeypox typically begins as a flu-like illness with individuals having a fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes.
As of June 18, 2022, the Center for Disease Control has confirmed three cases in Texas and 114 in the nation.