Monkeypox: causes, symptoms

The Beaumont Public Health Department (BPHD) reported the first case of monkeypox this past week, and the city’s Epidemiology Division is still investigating and obtaining details on the case as of press time.

“Currently, the general public is not considered at risk,” the city announced through the BPHD. “BPHD will work with local, federal and state partners to continue to monitor the situation.”

Monkeypox can spread through contact with bodily fluids, lesions or shared items that have been contaminated with fluids by a person with monkeypox, such as bedding. Monkeypox can also spread through respiratory droplets to persons in close proximity after prolonged exposure of over three hours. Symptoms of monkeypox may include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and body aches.

“Monkeypox cases are accruing nationwide within sexual networks,” BPHD warned. “Persons who are at high risk for monkeypox exposure should be aware of their risk and seek medical attention through their primary care provider if they develop any symptoms of monkeypox.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, “Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men.”

The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days, WHO reports. The invasion period, which lasts up to 5 days, is characterized by “fever, intense headache, lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph nodes), back pain, myalgia (muscle aches) and intense asthenia (lack of energy).”

During the next phase of infection, patients note, “skin eruption usually begins within 1–3 days of appearance of fever.

“The rash tends to be more concentrated on the face and extremities rather than on the trunk. It affects the face in 95% of cases, and palms of the hands and soles of the feet in 75% of cases. Also affected are oral mucous membranes in 70% of cases, genitalia in 30% of case, conjunctivae in 20% of cases, as well as the cornea.”

WHO describes a rash that evolves to large legions “filled with yellowish fluid” that eventually crusts and falls off.

“The number of lesions varies from a few to several thousand,” WHO details. “In severe cases, lesions can coalesce until large sections of skin slough off.”

The CDC lists 397 cases of monkeypox in Texas as of Aug. 1, the first Lone Star case noted in July 2021 in an international traveler arriving in Dallas. In the city of Beaumont, suspected or confirmed monkeypox cases are reportable to the Beaumont Public Health Department, Epidemiology Division (409) 654-3603 or fax a report to (409) 835-2545.

For more information, visit the of Beaumont webpage at beaumonttexas.gov.