Florida nears 1,000 monkeypox cases, FDOH says; CDC ranks state 3rd in US for confirmed cases (2024)

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Monkeypox cases continue to climb, with a few Florida counties reporting sharp increases.

As of Aug. 8, the Florida Department of Health reported 938 confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in 28 counties, according to its tracker on flhealthcharts.gov.A week ago, the state reported 442 casesin 22 counties — that's a jump of 496 probable or confirmed monkeypox cases here since Aug. 1.

It should be noted that the case numbers in Florida vary from what theCenters for Disease Control and Preventionreport. The CDC, for example, shows 633 confirmed cases for the Sunshine State. According to the CDC, here's a snapshot of U.S. and Florida confirmed cases in the past few weeks:

  • As of Aug. 8, the CDC listed 7,510 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the U.S. and 633 in Florida.
  • On Aug. 1, the CDC had reported 5,189 confirmed cases in the U.S.and 373 cases in Florida.
  • On July 22, the CDC had reported 2,891 cases in the U.S.

A presumptive positive case was first announced in Florida on May 22.

The USA TODAY Network-Florida has been writing weekly monkeypox case reports since the week of July 20, when the state department of health reported 226 cases here and the CDC reported 1,470 nationwide.

Check back with us for more monkeypox coverage, including case counts, vaccine info or general questions about this virus.

Monkeypox symptoms:Is your rash a symptom of chickenpox, shingles or monkeypox? How to tell as virus spreads in Florida

July 20 monkeypox report in Florida:226 probable or confirmed cases reported with bulk in Broward, Miami-Dade

Top 5 counties in Florida for monkeypox cases

According to the Florida Department of Health's tracker, these are the Top 5 counties reporting confirmed or probablemonkeypox cases:

  • Broward
  • Miami-Dade
  • Orange
  • Palm Beach
  • Pinellas

Monkeypox photos, skin lesions: What the rare disease looks like

Monkeypox cases in Florida

Here's a list of total cases by county with notes in increases and first case. This info isfrom the Florida Department of Health's reportable disease frequency report, with data range from May 22 to Aug. 7:

Alachua, 1

Brevard, 4 (up 3 from Aug. 1, when monkeypox first was detected here)

Broward, 330 (up 119 from Aug. 1; up 131 from July 25)

*Charlotte, 1

*Clay, 1

Collier, 3 (unchanged since July 25)

Duval, 7 (up 3 from Aug. 1; cases were first detected here week of July 25)

Flagler, 1 (unchanged from Aug. 1, when monkeypox case was detected here)

July 29:Flagler County reports its first monkeypox case

Hillsborough, 37 (up 27 from Aug. 1)

Lake, 3 (up 1 from Aug. 1)

Lee, 6 (up 3 from Aug. 1)

Martin, 4 (up 2 from Aug. 1, when 2 possible or confirmed monkeypox cases were detected here)

Aug. 1:Martin County reports 2 cases of monkeypox

Miami-Dade, 367 (up 259 cases from Aug. 1; a week before that, cases increased to 35 from July 25)

Monroe, 13 (up 1 from Aug. 1)

Orange, 54 (up 28 from Aug. 1; a week before that, cases increased to 9 from July 25)

Osceola, 4 (up 1 from Aug. 1, when monkeypox was first detected here)

Palm Beach, 43 (up 16 from Aug. 1; the previous week, the county reported 17 possible or confirmed cases)

Pasco, 3 (up 2 from Aug. 1, when monkeypox was first detected here)

Pinellas, 36 (up 18 from Aug. 1; the previous week, the county reported 5 possible or confirmed cases)

Polk, 4 (up 1 from Aug. 1)

Santa Rosa, 1

Sarasota, 1

Seminole, 6 (up 3 from Aug. 1)

*St. Lucie, 1

Aug. 5:First monkeypox case reported in St. Lucie County, third in Treasure Coast region

Volusia, 3 (up 2 from Aug. 1)

July 29:Volusia County reports its first monkeypox case

*denotes first confirmed or probablecases for the county since the USA TODAY Network-Florida's July 25 report, using stats from the state department of health

Previous USA TODAY Network-Florida reports for monkeypox

  • Aug. 1 report, when the state was near 500 cases, according to FDOH
  • July 25 report, when the state reported 273 cases

Monkeypox symptoms, vaccines and other info

Below are some common questions associated with monkeypox and other things to know. The USA TODAY Network-Florida will produce a weekly report on the virus, the counties affected and case counts every Monday using stats from the Florida Department of Health and the CDC.

The Florida Department of Health reported more confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in more than 20 counties. A week ago, the state reported 442 cases in 22 counties. The first presumptive case was reported here May 22.

What are monkeypox symptoms?

Monkeypox symptoms are milder than those of smallpox, according to the CDC.

It begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills andexhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days after fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.

How is monkeypox transmissible?

Possible human-to-human transmission includes:

• coughing. If an infected person coughs, it can be spread through respiratory droplets via the eye, nose or mouth.

• animals. The virus can be transmitted by a bite, scratch or body fluids. Rodents are the primary source.

• broken skin. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, even if the break is not visible.

Is monkeypox a gay disease?

No. Although the latest majority of monkeypox can be transmitted through close or intimate contact, it's not required, and the virus can spread to anyone of any sexual orientation.At least two children in the U.S.in close contact with infected family members have beendiagnosed with it.

When should I get tested?

The CDC and the Florida Department of Health recommend testing ifyou see suspicious skin lesions or if you've had close personal contact with someone who may have a confirmed or probable case.

Is there a monkeypox vaccine?

Yes. The CDC states: "Because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, vaccines developed to protect against smallpox viruses may be used to prevent monkeypox infections. The U.S. government has two stockpiled vaccines — JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 — that can prevent monkeypox in people who are exposed to the virus. Vaccines may be recommended for people who have had or may have contact with someone who has monkeypox, or for healthcare and public health workers who may be exposed to the virus."

Closer look:Rising reports of monkeypox cases in US and around the world raise concern

Monkeypox hotline

If health care providerssuspect a possible case of monkeypox,immediatelycontact yourcounty health department via theFlorida Department of Health websiteor the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.

Contributing: USA TODAY

Please consider subscribing to a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper atoffers.usatodaynetwork.com/network-regional-florida.

Florida nears 1,000 monkeypox cases, FDOH says; CDC ranks state 3rd in US for confirmed cases (2024)

FAQs

Where are the most cases of monkeypox in the US? ›

Legend
Location Sort by Location in descending orderCase CountSort by Case Count in descending order
New York4,528
North Carolina728
North Dakota6
Ohio428
48 more rows

How many cases of monkeypox are there in the US CDC? ›

Case numbers peaked in early August 2022; as of May 10, 2023, a total of 30,395 cases and 42 mpox-associated deaths were reported to CDC. An overwhelming majority of cases occurred among adult MSM and persons aged 21–55 years (Table).

How many cases of monkeypox are there in the US in 2024? ›

Mpox cases in the US are on the rise as vaccination rates lag and new threats loom. More than 500 mpox cases have been reported in the United States in 2024, according to CDC data, and relatively low levels of vaccination leave many at risk.

What is the death rate of mpox? ›

While painful and sometimes severe, the illness resulted in a death rate ranging from 0.1% to 3.6% of cases, according to various studies. But clade 1 mpox is more lethal, and deaths from the illness have ranged anywhere from 1.4% to 10% of patients, Hutson's team noted.

How many cases of monkeypox are there in Florida? ›

In Hillsborough County, there have been 37 documented monkeypox cases. Pinellas County has recorded 36 cases of monkeypox. Four cases have been recorded in Polk County. As of December 7th, 2022, there have been a total 2,829 documented cases of mpox in Florida.

How do you prevent monkeypox? ›

Isolate people who have mpox from healthy people. Wash your hands well with soap and water after any contact with an infected person or animal. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid animals that may carry the virus.

What are the first signs of monkeypox? ›

Typically for mpox, fever, muscle aches and sore throat appear first. The mpox rash begins on the face and spreads over the body, extending to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and evolves over 2-4 weeks in stages – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules. Lesions dip in the centre before crusting over.

How long does monkey pox last? ›

The rash usually lasts between 2 to 4 weeks and changes through different stages. It finally forms scabs that later fall off. The rash can be accompanied by general symptoms such as: fever.

Can you get monkey pox twice? ›

If you have already had monkeypox, you will not usually get it a second time. We do not yet know for sure whether this is also the case after vaccination. You may still develop a skin rash (including blisters) from direct skin contact with someone who has monkeypox, and those blisters are contagious.

What is the new virus in New York 2024? ›

Since January 1, 2024, 281 people in New York City have tested positive for mpox. There have been 31 cases in the last month (June 9, 2024 to July 6, 2024). Data are as of July 11 at 1 p.m. These data will be updated on the second Thursday of every month. Mpox is a contagious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

How many U.S. children have monkeypox? ›

In the current mpox outbreak in the U.S., cases of mpox among children and adolescents has been rare (<0.01% of all reported cases as of June 1, 2024). A report published on November 3rd, 2022, described the epidemiologic and clinical features of 83 cases of infection in children and adolescents.

What is the current status of monkeypox? ›

Since the start of the current global outbreak that started in May 2022, there have been 32,063 confirmed cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) and 58 deaths in the US.

What is the number 1 leading death? ›

Number 1 – Heart Disease. Heart disease is a term that includes many specific heart conditions. According to the CDC, coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attacks, is the most common heart disease in the United States.

What is the highest odds of death? ›

Heart disease, cancer, and accidents (unintentional injuries) are the top three leading causes of death in the United States.

Where is monkeypox most likely to be found? ›

The monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes mpox (monkeypox), a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe. While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, mpox continues to occur in countries of central and west Africa.

Where is the outbreak of monkeypox? ›

2022–2023 mpox outbreak
2022–23 mpox outbreak
DiseaseMpox
Virus strainMonkeypox virus (MPV), clade II, 2017–2019 outbreak subclade
SourceTravel from Nigeria (presumed/hypothesis)
Location113 countries and territories (111 with confirmed cases, 2 with suspected cases only)
5 more rows

Is monkeypox on the rise in the US? ›

The CDC is reporting an uptick in mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, cases across the United States. So far this year, they've reported almost 600 positive cases of mpox, which is nearly double the amount of cases reported in 2023.

Is there a cure for monkeypox? ›

Currently, there are no treatments specifically for monkeypox, and most people who get monkeypox get better on their own without treatment and can recover at home.

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