EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso health officials are explaining and providing more information about MPox after two cases were confirmed in El Paso.
El Paso County Health Officer Dr. Hector Ocolanza said MPox is an infectious disease.
Ocaranza said the disease spreads through skin-to-skin contact and is not transmitted through the air or casual contact.
“This is the same virus that caused outbreaks across the United States several years ago. And it’s not unusual to see sporadic cases of MPox across the country. And the ones we mentioned So, we need to let the community know that these two cases do not mean an outbreak is occurring and that it can occur at any time. There is just that,” Ocolanza said.
The MPox vaccine is available in El Paso County.
The two cases reported in El Paso are two men in their 40s who live in the same household.
Both are recuperating at home.
related:El Paso health officials confirm two Mpox cases
Public health officials have begun contact tracing efforts.
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads between people through close personal, often skin-to-skin contact, and can also be transmitted to humans from certain animals. It is characterized by a distinctive painful and itchy rash that appears on various parts of the body and progresses through several stages, including scabbing, before healing.
Symptoms of Mpox include:
- characteristic rash
- heat
- cold
- swollen lymph nodes
- Exhausted
- muscle pain and back pain
- headache
Symptoms usually begin within three weeks after exposure. Some people experience only a few symptoms, while others experience all symptoms.
How Mpox spreads:
- Through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
- Through intimate physical contact such as kissing or sexual intercourse
- Due to contact with infected wild animals through scratches, bites, or handling of infected animal products
A person is contagious from the time symptoms appear until the rash completely heals and new skin forms. The illness usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
Prevention tips:
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash that may be caused by Mpox.
- Mpox Avoid touching objects and surfaces used by patients
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water
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