CLEVELAND — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on June 13, 2022.
Health officials have confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Cleveland.
The news was announced late Thursday morning by the Cleveland Department of Public Health, Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
City officials say the individual has had "very limited" contact with others for the past 21 days.
Public health officials will reach out to anyone affected by the case.
What does this mean for Cleveland residents?
Officials at this time believe that monkeypox is not presenting a risk to the general public in Cleveland.
What is monkeypox?
City of Cleveland officials described monkeypox as follows:
A viral illness that typically can cause flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body.
Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks. Monkeypox is transmitted person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, having contact with an infectious rash, through body fluids or through respiratory secretions.
It can also be transmitted from person to person by inhaling large respiratory droplets or through close contact with body fluids and lesions, as well as bedding and other contaminated materials. It typically takes between 1 and 2 weeks after exposure to exhibit symptoms from the monkeypox virus, but it could take as long as 3 weeks. The virus typically resolves within 2-4 weeks.
What to do if you are experiencing symptoms?
Anyone experiencing the symptoms listed above is urged to contact their primary care provider.
How are monkeypox cases being tracked in the United States?
The CDC has been keeping track of the cases of monkeypox across the United States. A map of all cases can be found HERE.
More information on monkeypox can be found on the Cleveland Department of Public Health's website.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on June 13, 2022.