Johnson County man becomes Kansas’ first presumptive positive monkeypox case

Johnson County, KS man becomes state’s first presumptive positive monkeypox case

KDHE says the patient recently traveled out of state.

Updated: 6:38 PM CDT Jul 9, 2022

A Johnson County man has tested “presumptive positive” for monkeypox, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.The KDHE said this is the first presumptive positive case in Kansas. Health officials said the man recently traveled out of state. The KDHE said he is working with health officials to identify any recent contacts who might have been exposed.”The risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low,” Janet Stanek, secretary of KDHE, said. “If you are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox illness, it’s important to stay home and contact your health care provider as soon as possible to avoid spreading the disease to others.”KDHE says typical symptoms include: FeverHeadacheMuscle achesSwollen lymph nodesChillsExhaustionAppearance of rash that looks like pimples or blisters (appears on face, mouth, heads, feet, chest) KDHE says anyone experiencing the symptoms or a monkeypox-like rash should call their doctor as soon as possible.Risk factors for monkeypox infection include the following scenarios within 21 days of first symptom onset:Contact with a person or people with a similar-appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable monkeypox, ORClose or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity including meeting partners through an online website, digital app or social event, ORRecent travel outside the U.S. to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where Monkeypox virus is endemic, ORContact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)The monkeypox vaccine is available to those with known exposure to a confirmed monkeypox case. The vaccine supply is extremely limited in the United States. KDHE says only residents it contacts will be eligible to get vaccinated at this time. KDHE will expand eligibility as additional doses are available.The KDHE Phone Bank is available to assist in answering general questions about monkeypox. Individuals can call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or can email their questions.