Monkeypox causes several milder symptoms than those seen with smallpox, including a fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.Pixabay.com
Alabama health officials announced a second confirmed monkeypox case in Jefferson County Friday afternoon, just hours after reporting the state’s first case earlier the same day.
The state now joins almost four dozen others where monkeypox cases have been reported in a widening outbreak that has spread around the globe. Nearly 1,500 cases have been detected in the United States, with the largest number occurring in New York.
The first confirmed monkeypox patient in Alabama was identified as a resident of Mobile who sought treatment earlier this week. Rendi Murphree, an epidemiologist with the Mobile County Health Department said the department expected to find additional cases.
A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Public Health said the Jefferson County and Mobile County cases were not linked. Health department staff continue to investigate reported cases.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.