Seattle may have its first instance of monkeypox, according to reports from neighboring locations.
The Washington State Department of Health is assisting in the investigation of a possible case of the virus in Seattle’s King County.
Presumptive cases have been recorded in Seattle, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, and Utah.
Massachusetts was the only state to confirm an infection.
According to a written statement from the Public Health-Seattle & King County, the virus was initially reported to local officials on Sunday.
Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said that the individual who may be affected is an adult man who traveled to a place where monkeypox has been reported recently.
That person was not admitted to the hospital and is now isolated at home.
This comes after Florida officials announced the state’s first suspected case of monkeypox.
According to a press statement from health officials, the case was discovered in Broward County and is linked to overseas travel.
The case is being investigated by the Broward County Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are currently no additional cases in Florida.
Monkeypox virus cases have been detected worldwide since May 14, according to officials.
The news comes only days after the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene discovered a suspected case of the new virus at Bellevue Hospital.
Monkeypox is uncommon in the United States, according to the department, and generally causes a flu-like sickness with swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash on the face and body.
