Whatcom health officials confirm second monkeypox case, tracing close contacts

A second Whatcom County resident has tested positive for the monkeypox virus, and the Whatcom County Health Department urged residents to follow preventive measures.

The person who tested positive was in their 20s, has not been hospitalized and is isolating at home, a health department news release Tuesday evening, Sept. 13, stated, adding that county health officials are working to identify anyone who may be a close contact to the person who tested positive.

“It is important that everyone follow basic precautions to reduce the risk of catching and spreading MPV,” the release states, adding that anyone can get the virus through close contact and that it usually spreads through skin-to-skin contact.

It can take up to three weeks after exposure for someone to develop symptoms, the health department reported, but most people become symptomatic within seven to 14 days.

“Anyone with unexplained rash or sores should seek medical evaluation, especially if they have had high risk or anonymous sexual encounters, ” Whatcom County Co-Health Officer Dr. Greg Thompson said in the release.

The health department reemphasized prevention tips, including:

▪ Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have rashes, sores or blisters.

▪ Avoiding sexual activity with multiple partners or partners who have sex with multiple people.

▪ Condoms may help prevent exposure to the monkeypox virus, but condoms alone are not enough.

▪ Wear a high-quality mask, such as an N95, if you are physically close to somebody who has tested positive for monkeypox.

▪ Do not touch body fluids, bed sheets or clothing from someone who has tested positive for monkeypox without proper protective equipment.

“Whatcom County has enough MPV vaccine to meet current demand, as well as treatment drugs (TPOXX) that have been pre-positioned to treat anyone with MPV who is at high risk of severe disease,” Tuesday’s release states. “Close contacts of Whatcom County’s second case are being offered the vaccine, as well as others that meet the criteria for vaccination.”

Whatcom’s second confirmed monkeypox case comes more than six weeks after its first case — a resident in their 50s — was announced on Aug. 2. That resident also was not admitted to the hospital and isolated at home while recovering, the health department reported at the time.

The Washington State Department of Health reports there have been 506 confirmed monkeypox cases in the state, 14 of which have resulted in hospitalization (less than 3%). A total of 22,630 cases have been confirmed nationally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Monkeypox testing is available through most commercial medical laboratories and can be ordered by a doctor, the health department release states.