LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles County resident with a compromised immune system has died from monkeypox, native well being officers introduced Monday. It’s believed to be the primary U.S. fatality from the illness.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health introduced the reason for dying, and a spokesperson stated it was confirmed by an post-mortem. The affected person was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized. No different info on the particular person was launched.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention tracks circumstances and has not confirmed any U.S. deaths from the illness. LA County officers say they labored with the CDC on their case.
A CDC spokesperson confirmed the cooperation however didn’t instantly reply when requested if this was the primary U.S. dying.
Texas public well being officers on Aug. 30 reported the death of a person who had been identified with monkeypox. The particular person was severely immunocompromised and their case is underneath investigation to find out what function monkeypox might have performed of their dying.
Learn Extra: What It Really Feels Like To Have Monkeypox
Monkeypox is unfold via shut skin-to-skin contact and extended publicity to respiratory droplets. It might trigger a rash, fever, physique aches and chills. Comparatively few individuals require hospitalizations and solely a handful of deaths worldwide have been immediately linked to the illness.
The CDC recommends the monkeypox vaccine for people who find themselves an in depth contact of somebody who has illness; individuals who know a sexual companion was identified previously two weeks; and homosexual or bisexual males who had a number of sexual companions within the final two weeks in an space with identified virus unfold. Pictures are additionally advisable for well being care staff at excessive threat of publicity.
The US has essentially the most circumstances globally, with 21,985 confirmed, in keeping with the CDC. California has recorded essentially the most circumstances nationally, with greater than 4,300. Black individuals and Latinos have been disproportionately contaminated.
A current decline in circumstances, mixed with an uptick in vaccinations, has inspired the White Home as officers promise to ramp up vaccination choices at LGBTQ Pleasure festivals across the nation within the coming weeks.
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