Monkeypox NYC: First juvenile case confirmed
NEW YORK - New York City health officials have confirmed the first case of monkeypox in a child.
The city's health commissioner made the announcement Friday but reminded New Yorkers that the overall risk of exposure for children in the city remains very low.
The current case is linked to a household contact, however, the commissioner did not give the child's age or any other details.
This is the second juvenile case reported in New York state since the outbreak began. There have been more than 2,000 monkeypox cases in adults in New York City since the outbreak started.
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The virus spreads through close contact with skin, rashes, and respiratory droplets.
It can also be transmitted via clothing or bedding used by an infected person.
New York City and the country as a whole have been struggling to keep up with the number of monkeypox cases due to the limited number of vaccines.
Right now, most people being impacted are men who have sex with men.
How is monkeypox spread?
In the current outbreak, the monkeypox virus:
• Is spreading mainly during oral, anal, and vaginal sex and other intimate contact such as rimming, hugging, kissing, biting, cuddling and massage
• Can spread through direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus; from coming into contact with clothing, bedding, towels or other items they have used; and from prolonged face-to-face contact
• Spreads when people have symptoms, but experts are still studying whether it spreads before symptoms start or after they end
• May spread through semen, saliva, feces (poop), and other body fluids – experts are still studying whether this is possible.
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Monkeypox Symptoms
The most common symptom is a rash or sores that may look like pimples or blisters. The rash and sores may be all over the body or on certain parts, including around and inside the genitals, anus, and mouth, and last for two to four weeks.
The rash can be extremely itchy and painful and interfere with daily activities. Sores in the anus or urethra can make it hard to go to the bathroom.
Some people also have flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and fatigue. Complications from monkeypox infection include inflammation of the rectal lining (proctitis).
Even after healing, people can have scarring in the areas where they had sores.
A person is contagious until all sores have healed, and a new layer of skin has formed, which can take two to four weeks.
It is not known if there are long-term health problems associated with monkeypox.