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A confirmed case does not represent a danger to the population

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today confirmed a case of monkeypox in an adult male who had recently traveled to Canada. Initial testing was completed Tuesday night at the Jamaica Plain State Public Health Laboratory, and confirmatory testing was completed today at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Department of Public Health works closely with the CDC, appropriate local boards of health, and the patient's health care providers to identify people who may have been in contact with the patient while infected. A contact tracing approach is the most appropriate due to the nature and transmission of the virus. The condition does not present a danger to the public, the patient is hospitalized and in good condition.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that usually begins with a flu-like illness, swollen lymph nodes, and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks. In areas of West and Central Africa where monkeypox is prevalent, people may be exposed through bites or scratches from rodents and small mammals, grooming by wild animals, or contact with an infected animal or possibly animal products. The virus does not spread easily between people. Transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, monkeypox wounds, fluid-contaminated objects or wounds (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets after prolonged face-to-face contact.

There were no previously recognized cases of monkeypox in the United States in 2022; Texas and Maryland reported one case in 2021 of people who had recently traveled to Nigeria. Since the beginning of May 2022, the UK has recorded 9 cases of monkeypox. The first case had recently traveled to Nigeria. None of the other cases reported recent travel. British health officials have reported that the latest cases in the UK have been in men who have sex with men.

Based on the results of the Massachusetts case and recent cases in the United Kingdom, clinicians should consider a diagnosis of monkeypox in people with unexplained rashes and 1) have traveled, in the past 30 days, to a country with confirmed cases or recently suspected monkeypox 2) reporting contact with a person or persons with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or 3) a man reporting sexual contact with other men. These clinical guidelines are in line with the recommendations of the UK health authorities and the US federal health authorities, based on specific cases.

Suspected cases can show early flu-like symptoms and develop into lesions that can start in one place on the body and spread to other parts. The disease and illness can be clinically confused with a sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis, herpes, or varicella zoster virus. CDC plans to release public information on smallpox virus infection soon, which, when available, will be available here.