The United States has recorded its first monkeypox-related death. Health officials in the US state of Texas confirmed the death of a patient infected with monkey pox on Tuesday. The deceased had previously been severely immunocompromised. It was not disclosed whether it was a man or a woman. According to the authorities, they now want to investigate “the role monkey pox plays in death”.
Jennifer McQuiston of the US health authority CDC also said there is now a need to check whether monkey pox played a role in the death or not. “It is important to emphasize that while monkeypox deaths are possible, they are very rare.” Of the more than 40,000 cases of the current outbreak worldwide, only a “handful” have been killed, McQuiston said.
Already 18,000 cases reported in the US
Monkeypox is a less dangerous relative of smallpox, which has been eradicated for about 40 years. For decades, the disease mainly occurred in some West and Central African countries. Since May, however, it has also been increasingly registered outside Africa. More than 18,000 cases have been reported in the US alone.
Typical symptoms of the disease include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and wet leaf-like pustules. The disease is transmitted through close body and skin contact.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
