HARRIS COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Texas has confirmed the first death of a person diagnosed with monkeypox.
The Department of State Health Services said the patient was a Harris County resident who was severely immunocompromised.
The case is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death.
“Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS Commissioner. “We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease.”
Doctors said the disease is painful for most people but not life threatening and is a preventable disease.
TX DHS advises people to take these steps to prevent the spread of monkeypox.
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with a new, unexplained rash.
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact in large crowds where people are wearing minimal clothing, such as nightclubs, festivals, raves, saunas and bathhouses.
- Do not share cups, utensils, bedding or towels with someone who is sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
It spreads through close contact with an infected person and is mostly spread between gay men. People should contact their health care provider if they have fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash.
Infected people should stay home and avoid close contact with others until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
Vaccines for monkeypox are available but they are said to be in short supply. Texas received thousands of doses over the summer.
Dallas County has seen the highest number of monkeypox cases in Texas and officials declared it a public health emergency. As of last week, the county reported 476 cases.
Texas has more than 1600 cases.
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