GOSHEN – The first case of monkeypox has been identified in Orange County, Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman announced on Wednesday.
Other cases have been identified in the Hudson in Sullivan, Rockland and Westchester counties.
“Orange County has demonstrated our ability to respond to the spread of communicable disease in the past,” said Dr. Gelman. “We continue to be in contact with the State Department of Health to ensure we have the resources necessary to protect our residents.”
Monkeypox is a viral infection that is extremely rare, which often does not cause serious illness; however, it can lead to hospitalization and death, especially if left untreated.
Infections spread through close physical contact between individuals and contaminated objects, and typically last about two to four weeks.
As of July 18, there have been at least 651 confirmed cases of monkeypox identified in the state, the vast majority – an estimated 618 – in New York City.
The infection outside the Big Apple have been reported in Suffolk, Nassau, Monroe, Erie, Chemung, Albany, and St. Lawrence counties.
For additional background information on the symptoms of monkeypox, how the infection spreads, strategies to avoid exposure, and steps to take if an infection may have occurred, please visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/monkeypox/.
