ALLEGAN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified the Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) that a probable case of Monkeypox virus (MPV) has been identified in an Allegan County resident.
Health officials say more than 200 confirmed and probable MPV cases have been identified statewide, however, this was the first probable case identified in Allegan County.
They went onto say that the individual is currently isolated and does not pose a risk to the public.
Updated case counts by county in Michigan can be found at www.michigan.gov/mpv.
MPV is a viral illness that spreads primarily through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, bodily fluids, or prolonged face-to-face contact. Infection may begin with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes that progress to a rash on the face and body. Symptoms can also include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
MPV is contagious from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Symptoms generally appear within three weeks after exposure and infection, and the rash often lasts two to four weeks.
Anyone can contract and spread monkeypox.
Those that think they may have MPV, need to contact their healthcare provider to get tested.
For more information on MPV visit, www.cdc.gov/monkeypox or www.michigan.gov/mpv.
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