The New Mexico Department of Health announced Monday that the first "probable case" of monkeypox has cropped up in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reportedly conducting a second round of testing to confirm. DOH says the individual was likely exposed during out-of-state travel and is isolating at home.
Monkeypox has been around for decades, and remains rare in the U.S. with an estimated 866 cases, . Though, epidemiology professor at UCLA Anne Rimoin told Monday that the national numbers may be misleading.
"I鈥檓 certain that we have many more cases out there than we鈥檙e aware of," she said. "And many people who don鈥檛 know how to access testing, or people who try to access it who just are not able to get it given the limited capacity at this point."
New Mexico鈥檚 health department says the virus is 鈥渞arely fatal.鈥� Acting Secretary David Scrase said in a statement Monday that while risk remains low for most New Mexicans, the illness is a 鈥減ublic health concern for all of us.鈥�
Infections, , usually last between two and four weeks and can include flu-like symptoms and skin sores.
Transmission can result from contact with these sores, items that have rubbed on the sores like sheets or clothes, or through saliva or sex, according to the department鈥檚 website.
DOH urges those with possible symptoms to isolate and contact their healthcare provider or a to get tested.
