First pediatric case of monkeypox in Riverside County confirmed

A child from western Riverside County is the first pediatric case of monkeypox in the county, according to local health officials. The child, who is less than 10 years old, did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home.

Riverside University Health System-Public Health officials were notified about the preliminary positive test result and are still trying to determine the source of the infection.

“This case reminds everyone that MPX can impact anyone, regarding of age, gender or sexual orientation,” Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County, said.

There have been about 256 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Riverside County, the majority coming from Coachella Valley. Palm Springs has the largest number of cases, with 123 total.

Health officials say there are several ways to protect yourself from monkeypox, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown, and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms
• Avoiding contact with infected materials contaminated with the virus
• People who become infected should isolate until their symptoms are improving or have gone away completely. Rash should always be well covered until completely healed.

News Channel 3 has reached out to County Health officials for more information on this first pediatric case of monkeypox. Stay with News Channel 3 on air and always online for any new developments.

A child from western Riverside County is the first pediatric case of monkeypox in the county, according to local health officials. The child, who is less than 10 years old, did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home.

Riverside University Health System-Public Health officials were notified about the preliminary positive test result and are still trying to determine the source of the infection.

“This case reminds everyone that MPX can impact anyone, regarding of age, gender or sexual orientation,” Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County, said.

There have been about 256 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Riverside County, the majority coming from Coachella Valley. Palm Springs has the largest number of cases, with 123 total.

Health officials say there are several ways to protect yourself from monkeypox, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
• Practicing good hand hygiene
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown, and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms
• Avoiding contact with infected materials contaminated with the virus
• People who become infected should isolate until their symptoms are improving or have gone away completely. Rash should always be well covered until completely healed.

News Channel 3 has reached out to County Health officials for more information on this first pediatric case of monkeypox. Stay with News Channel 3 on air and always online for any new developments.