June 16, 2022 3:00 p.m. 

On Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority reported the first case of probable hMPXV, which denotes the human version of the monkeypox virus, in the state.

OHA said the individual identifies as an adult male and has traveled to a community with confirmed cases. He remains isolated and is following recommendations from public health officials and medical providers. Confirmatory testing is being done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A release said OHA is working closely with the CDC, local public health and the patient’s health care providers to ensure appropriate actions are taken to identify individuals at potential risk for exposure.

Dr. Richard Leman, Public Health Physician with OHA, said “hMPXV does not spread easily between people, so the risk to other people is generally very low”. Leman said it spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids. Less commonly, it can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact.

OHA said symptoms of hMPXV often include fever, headache and muscle aches. These symptoms are followed in one to three days by a rash, often on the face, or spreading to the limbs. The rash starts with flat patches that then form large, firm bumps, which then fill with fluid or pus. These then scab and fall off, usually over two to four weeks. Symptoms usually start within seven to fourteen days after exposure, with a range of five to twenty-one days.

OHA said currently there are 84 cases across 18 states. There have been no deaths and only the one case in Oregon. For more information about hMPXV, go to: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Documents/Monkeypox/Monkeypox-FAQ.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery