Nearly 250 cases of Monkeypox have been confirmed here in Ohio, the newest case from Clark County may be the third possible diagnosis in the Miami Valley.
Although there is an effective vaccine for those that are exposed or at risk of being exposed, Clark County Health Commissioner, Charles Patterson, said there is one problem.
“What we like to say is there are very limited vaccines,” Patterson said.
Workers showed Newscenter 7′s Mike Campbell the one and only vial of the vaccine the Health Department has on hand.
The vial contains four doses, enough for two patients to take the series of two shots of protection needed.
Once the vial has been used, the Ohio Department of Health will send them more of the vaccine in an attempt to reserve vials for larger cities that have seen more cases.
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Despite limited vaccines available, there is plenty of testing. Public Health officials urge citizens who may be exposed to contact their primary care physician first to rule out all potential health problems before reserving a spot in line to be tested at the Health Department.
This disease will show up typically as a series of markings or pox on the skin, similar to chicken pox.
More than 90% of cases are contracted by adult males and is spread by close personal contact.
The people most at risk are those engaging in risky sexual behavior or those that have multiple sexual partners.
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Patterson expressed that unless you are an immunocompromised person, patients will generally have a good prognosis.
“The virus will usually clear itself in two to three weeks,” Patterson said, “it can be painful, cause pain and itching.”
Sharon Fuller, Springfield resident, is amazed and concerned that this is the next health problem being talked about.
“After COVID, I was like what next can we think of.” Fuller said.
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