Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) has identified a probable case of monkeypox (MPV). Preliminary testing completed at the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories returned a presumptive positive result for Orthopoxvirus. MPV belongs to the Orthopoxvirus family of viruses and confirmatory testing is underway at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The individual is currently isolating and does not pose a risk to the public. GCHD is working with the case to determine and notify any close contacts. To protect patient privacy, no further case details will be provided.
Since the beginning of the current global outbreak, the CDC reports that there are 16,926 confirmed and probable cases the United States as of August 22, 2022. There are 165 confirmed and probable cases in the state of Michigan as of August 25, 2022.
Infection may begin with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes that progresses to a rash on the face and body. Symptoms of MPV can include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the
mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.
MPV is contagious from onset of the first symptom, often but not always a rash, and up until scabs have fallen off.
Symptoms generally appear one (1) to two (2) weeks after exposure and infection, and the rash often lasts two (2) to four (4) weeks. Persons experiencing MPV symptoms should contact their health care provider for evaluation. It is important to note that anyone can contract and spread monkeypox.
Providers should first consult their local health department or MDHHS if MPV is suspected to coordinate specimen collection and testing. Due to the often atypical presentation of MPV in this outbreak, the health department is encouraging clinicians to have a high level of suspicion for MPV, especially in persons with reported risk factors. Updated guidance for providers is available from both MDHHS and the CDC.
There are no treatments specifically for MPV infections. However, MPV and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat MPV infections. Antivirals, such as tecovirimat, may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.
For more about this virus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/.
