Monkeypox: Third suspected case in U.S. investigated in Fort Lauderdale
iagnosed in New York and now a third suspected case is being investigated in Fort Lauderdale.“This case is related to international travel, and the person remains isolated,” said Jeremy Redfern, a Florida Department of Health spokesman in Broward County. “At this time, DOH-Broward has not identified any additional cases.”Specimen samples from the individuals have been sent off to the CDC.Related: Monkeypox outbreak: Gay men advised to check for rashesNormally confined to West Africa, outbreaks of the disease have been identified in the last couple of weeks in 11 countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is tracking 80 confirmed cases and 50 possible cases.There are now over 20 confirmed cases in the UK, and health authorities there have said many of them are gay or bi men.
A similar pattern has been noted in Spain and Australia.Monkeypox is not easily spread, but close body contact can transmit the virus.
This has led some health officials to issue warnings to gay men to be extra cautious about any rashes or lesions they notice on their bodies.Belgium has announced it will require close contacts of anyone diagnosed with monkeypox to isolate for 21 days.
