ALLEGAN — The Allegan County Health Department announced the county’s first probable case of monkeypox Wednesday, Sept. 7.
A resident in the county was identified as a probable case and is currently isolated, ACHD said. The individual does not pose a risk to the public and no further case details will be revealed.
The first Allegan County case comes more than a month after the first cases in Ottawa County, which were announced Aug. 1. According to state data, there have been five total cases in Ottawa County.
Overall, more than 200 monkeypox cases have been confirmed in Michigan, primarily on the east side of the state. In West Michigan, Kent County has confirmed 12 cases.
More:Ottawa County announces 2 probable cases of monkeypox
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Monkeypox 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 a flu-like illness and swelling of lymph nodes, which progresses to a rash on the face and body.
Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, exhaustion and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face, inside of the mouth, or on other parts of the body.
Allegan County does have a limited supply of vaccines being distributed using risk-based criteria and screening eligibility, ACHD said. To request the vaccine, call ACHD at 269-673-5411.
Monkeypox is contagious from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed. Symptoms generally appear within three weeks of exposure. If you think you may have monkeypox, contact your health provider to get tested or call ACHD.
For more information on monkeypox, visit cdc.gov/monkeypox.
