Tarrant County reports first confirmed case of monkeypox virus

Public health authorities on Monday confirmed and reported the first case of monkeypox in Tarrant County.

Tarrant County Public Health did not release whether the person infected with the virus is male or female or an adult or child. The health department’s epidemiology division is investigating and gathering details on the case.

The general public is not considered at risk, the department said.

Monkeypox, classified as a rare disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a variant of the same virus that causes smallpox. The CDC said multiple cases of the virus have been reported in countries that do not usually report infections, including the United States.

This infection presents symptoms including a rash, lesions, swollen lymph nodes, fever and scabbing, according to the CDC.

Severity of the infection depends on the health of the person prior to exposure, the strain of the virus and the way in which they were infected. Incubation is typically seven to 14 days and the infection typically lasts two to three weeks. It can be fatal.

Monkeypox cases are developing within sexual networks, Tarrant County Public Health said. People who are at high risk for monkeypox exposure should be aware of their risk and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of monkeypox.

Other monkeypox cases recently were reported in Dallas and Denton counties.