The Northwestern Health Unit has seen no reported cases of monkeypox in our area.
The update comes as more cases are being reported in Minnesota.
he state’s health department says there are now six new cases, all adults who live in the Twin Cities area.
All of them have also travelled or had direct contact with someone who traveled recently.
Dr. Kit Young Hoon is our Medical Officer of Health and says they are always on the lookout.
She says any healthcare provider who sees a case of virus in their patient are to report it to the Northwestern Health Unit.
Dr. Young Hoon notes they will put out communication if they do see a case of monkeypox locally.
She says the most common symptoms are rash with blisters, fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes.
Dr. Young Hoon adds the virus can spread through close physical contact including sexual contact with someone with symptoms.
She notes those who are at risk for severe disease include children under the age of 12, pregnant women and immune compromised individuals.
Dr. Young Hoon stresses it is important that anyone with symptoms isolates and talk to a healthcare provider in order to avoid spread.
Monkeypox spreads much less easily than COVID-19 and spreads when a person is symptomatic but it does have a higher death rate.
(With Files From Randy Thoms)
