In Indiana, monkeypox virus a growing problem as cases increase - The Star Press

— As of Thursday the number of cases of monkeypox in Indiana had reached 62 cases, up from 45 the previous Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The illness, largely spread by skin on skin contact, has been spreading in the United States since May 17, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started their response to the outbreak in the U.S.

Megan Wade-Taxter, a spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Health, said the agency doesn't have the data about monkeypox broken down to the county level or region at this time.

By late July, Marion County was reporting 17 presumed cases of monkeypox there, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Cases have been cropping up elsewhere around the state as well; the Tippecanoe County Health Department on July 28 announced that the county had three confirmed but "mild" cases of monkeypox, and just days before that St.

Jammie Bane, administrator of the Delaware County Health Department, said monkeypox poses a general risk to the population.

"Monkeypox does not easily spread through brief casual contact, but it’s important to remember that anyone can be affected if they are a close contact of a positive case," Indiana Health Commissioner Kris Box said in a release.

Bane said the county health department encourages anyone with concerns to visit in.gov/health/monkeypox for more detailed information, and sign up at http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/lUaRCL91K8fNgKqw7TPqxxp?domain=bit.ly to be notified of clinic opportunities in the ECI area