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.
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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
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