Monkeypox Detected in Louisiana — The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting the first detected case of monkeypox infection in a state resident. A news release late Thursday says an out-of-state resident visiting Louisiana also tested positive for monkeypox. The department says the Louisiana resident lives in the area composed of Orleans, Plaquemines, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. The news release did not say whether that person had any contact with the out-of-state resident or where the second person visited.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus has been found in at least 605 people in 35 other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Meanwhile Texas Health Officials say an person who attended a July 4th Festival in Dallas tested positive for Monkeypox. The person is an out-of-state visitor who attended the Daddyland Festival. They reported attending parties and events while infectious. Christian Grisales is with Dallas County Health and Human Services.
“In this situation, now we are facing a potential risk or transmission, high-risk transmission, among many people in the community,” Grisales said.
Those who attended the festival could have been exposed or infected.
“Anyone can get it regardless of sexual orientation. It can spread through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or shared items such as clothing and bedding that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox,” Grisales said.
Monkeypox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches and rash. It is not as contagious as Covid but anyone with those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
