WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. – A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Whatcom County.
The Whatcom County Health Department says a person in their 50’s tested positive for the illness on Tuesday, August 2nd.
The person is not hospitalized and is isolating at home.
The case appears to be linked to exposure in King County.
Whatcom County co-health officer Dr. Amy Harley says they’ve been preparing for the illness and a limited supply of treatments and vaccines are available locally.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that can be serious, but no one in the U.S. has died from it during this current outbreak.
It causes a painful rash that looks like bumps, bruises, blisters or sores and is usually spread by close personal contact.
Anyone with these symptom is urged to contact their healthcare provider and help identify those they’ve had close contact with.