LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles County resident with a compromised immune system has died from monkeypox, local health officials announced Monday. It’s believed to be the first U.S. fatality from the disease.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported the death and said that an autopsy had confirmed it. This patient had suffered from severe immunocompromised conditions and was currently in hospital. The patient was not available for comment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors cases and has yet to confirm any U.S. deaths due to the disease. Officials from Los Angeles County say that they collaborated with the CDC to resolve their case.
The spokesperson for the CDC confirmed that the assistance was being provided, but did not respond immediately when the questioner asked if it was the first U.S.-related death.
On Aug. 30, Texas officials reported that a monkeypox patient had died. This person had severe immunocompromised. Investigators are currently investigating the case to see if monkeypox played any role in their deaths.
Continue reading: Monkeypox: What it Really Feels Like
The spread of monkeypox can be done through skin-to-skin contact, prolonged respiratory dropslet exposure and close skin-toskin contact. The disease can lead to a rash and fever as well as body aches, chills, and even nervous system problems. It is rare for people to need hospitalizations, and it has been linked to only a few deaths.
The CDC recommends that people with close contacts of someone suffering from disease, people who have been diagnosed within the past 2 weeks and people who were gay or bisexual in the previous two weeks living in areas where the virus has spread are given the monkeypox vaccination. Health care professionals at highest risk are recommended to get shots.
According to the CDC, the United States is home to 21985 cases. California, which has more than 4300 cases per year, is the state with most. Blacks and Latinos were more likely to be infected than the rest of us.
Officials from the White House have pledged to boost vaccinations for LGBTQ Pride Festivals across the country as a result of a recent decrease in cases and an increase in vaccinations.
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