SM County: Two Cases of Monkeypox Detected in San Miguel County

20 Jul SM County: Two Cases of Monkeypox Detected in San Miguel County

SM County puts out the word: Two cases of monkeypox detected in San Miguel County. Symptomatic nonresidents from the same household recovering well.

To read CDC guidance on how to minimize risk of infection with monkeypox, click here.

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The Telluride Regional Medical Center (TRMC) identified and confirmed two individuals positive for monkeypox from samples taken last Friday, July 15. The two nonresidents from the same household began experiencing symptoms of monkeypox including lesions and flu-like symptoms. The individuals have returned home, are recovering well, and have reached out to all known close contacts.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) identified the first case of monkeypox in Colorado in May and are currently monitoring cases and transmission of monkeypox throughout the state. To-date, the CDPHE has reported 20 cases in Colorado, though case counts may change as the CDPHE identifies more cases.

Dr. Sharon Grundy

“Given our recent COVID response and collaboration with Public Health, we continue to be prepared to respond to any communicable diseases that may arise,” said San Miguel County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Grundy on behalf of Telluride Regional Medical Center. “The patients were seen safely and quickly without presenting risk to others during their visit.”

Monkeypox can spread from person to person when someone who has monkeypox has close contact, often skin-to-skin, with someone else. Close contact can mean physical contact with a sick person’s sores, bumps, or lesions, including during sex, or contact with respiratory secretions. Monkeypox can also spread through touching objects, fabrics and surfaces that have been used by someone who is sick.

Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Recent data suggests that people who have recently traveled to a country where monkeypox has been reported and men who have sex with other men are at heightened risk.

The type of monkeypox spreading in the United States is rarely deadly and has a fatality rate of less than 1%. In fact, in most cases, monkeypox will resolve on its own. Symptoms of monkeypox may include:

Flu-like symptoms such as:
– Fever
– Headache
– Muscle aches
– Swollen lymph nodes
– Exhaustion

Typically, a rash or skin bumps develop within one to three days after the onset of fever, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body.
– The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
– The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
– The rash may also be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.

If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you have had contact with someone who has monkeypox. There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.

Grace Franklin, County Public Health Director.

“Monkeypox, while highly transmissible, is both treatable and containable,” said Public Health Director Grace Franklin. “We encourage anybody experiencing symptoms to avoid contact with others, avoid gatherings, and avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.”

CDC and CDPHE will continue to provide further updates to the spread of monkeypox and update guidance as needed.