Health District reports 2 additional probable monkeypox cases

Two more probable monkeypox cases have been reported in Clark County, bringing the total number of confirmed or probable cases to four, the Southern Nevada Health District said Wednesday.

The additional cases are a man in his 50s and a man in his 30s, one of whom is isolating at home while the other is hospitalized, the health district said in a press release.

The district is investigating the health status of close contacts and specimens are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation, the release said.

None of the cases reported so far in the county have been associated with one another.

The two previously reported cases of monkeypox were a confirmed case of a man in his 20s and a man in his 30s who was diagnosed in another state. The health district said it had not yet received confirmation regarding the individual diagnosed in another state.

As of Wednesday, there were 560 confirmed cases of monkeypox across the country, with 6,924 cases around the globe, according to latest numbers from the CDC.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that causes a characteristic rash that resembles pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth or on other parts of the body like hands and feet. Some individuals may also experience fever, headache, muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes, but some may only experience the rash, according to the CDC.

The disease is spread through close physical contact with infectious sores, bodily fluids, sexual contact, touching items that have been used by someone who has monkeypox or prolonged face-to-face contact.

The incubation period is usually between seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days, according to the health district. People who are immunocompromised, younger children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those with certain skin conditions may be more at risk for severe illness.

The health district also said it had ordered a small number of monkeypox vaccines, known as Jynneos, for people like lab workers, confirmed cases and their close contacts who were at high risk of contracting the disease. The vaccine is effective at preventing monkeypox for up to four days after exposure and could reduce the severity of symptoms up to 14 days after exposure.

Contact Tony Garcia at tgarcia@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307. Follow @TonyGLVNews on Twitter.