New York investigating possible monkeypox case - but how much of a threat is it? - Times Union

New York City is awaiting a CDC ruling if it has its first case of monkeypox virus in May 2022.

New York City is awaiting a CDC ruling if it has its first case of monkeypox virus in May 2022.

This past week has been a busy one for New York health officials, as coronavirus subvariants have pushed New York City once again into experiencing high risk levels of COVID-19 transmission, influenza has crept back and a lesser known (albeit old) health concern has emerged - monkeypox.

On Friday, the New York state Department of Health released information on two possible cases of monkeypox that were being investigated in New York City - this after the U.S.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Public Health Lab ruled out monkeypox in one case after specimen testing, while the other was positive for orthopoxvirus, the family of viruses to which monkeypox belongs.

State health officials said people are often exposed to monkeypox directly through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, preparing wild game, or having contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products.

and rashes on the face and body should contact their health care provider, state health officials say -  particularly if they have been in close contact with someone who is experiencing similar symptoms or has traveled.

"While a possible case in New York State awaits confirmatory testing by our local and federal partners, the department has alerted health care providers in New York State so that they can consider this unusual diagnosis if their patients present with symptoms.".

"Masks can protect against monkeypox, as well as other viruses circulating in New York City, such as COVID-19," the city health department said in a statement Friday