CLEVELAND — There seems to finally be some good news in the battle against monkeypox in Ohio.
As of Thursday, the Ohio Department of Health reported that there are 314 cases in the state, with 33 hospitalizations and one death. Statistics show 95% of the cases are in men.
Locally, Cuyahoga County has the highest number of monkeypox cases in the state at 147. The Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that there are 88 cases in the city.
By comparison, on September 28, CDPH announced that there were 85 cases in Cleveland, while the Ohio Department of Health reported 276 cases on that same date.
Over 2,300 people in Cuyahoga County have started their vaccination, that's almost 50% of the total vaccine recipients in the state.
"We are now on a downward slope in terms of case numbers," said Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff during a Thursday briefing. "I am quick to say that we are not done. I don't want people to think we are out of the woods. I think that we can look at the interventions that are currently underway and feel very confident that they are working."
There is a concern, however, because this virus hasn't really been studied thoroughly for decades. Some worry that we just don't know if there's a chance of long-term health consequences in those who have been infected.
Scarring from the blisters is a likely effect, however some studies, most of them recent, indicated there may be cases of blindness and urologic problems ahead for some of these patients. But it's still too early to tell. The CDC will be looking for evidence of whether monkeypox could have after-effects like long COVID.
In the meantime, the Cleveland Department of Public Health continues to offer monkeypox vaccination clinics:
- Friday, October 21 and Friday, October 28: Mean Bull ‐ 1313 E. 26th St. Cleveland from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 26: J. Glen Smith Health Center – 11100 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 26: McCafferty Health Center – 4242 Lorain Ave. Cleveland from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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