DOH reports 3 more monkeypox cases in Hawaii
The state Department of Health has identified three additional cases of monkeypox.
This brings the total number of cases in Hawaii to 11.
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Two of the three new cases are Oahu residents, the DOH announced today. The DOH established a connection to a previously reported case for one Oahu resident, and connections to previously reported cases are under investigation for the second Oahu resident.
The third individual is a nonresident who was diagnosed on Kauai and whose case is associated with travel outside of Hawaii
“Monkeypox cases continue to increase across the country — and we expect to see more cases in Hawaii,” Deputy State Epidemiologist Nathan Tan said today in a statement. “We continue to take action to support individuals diagnosed with monkeypox, conduct contact tracing, vaccinate close contacts and those with high-risk exposure, and educate the community.”
The risk to most Hawaii residents remains low, according to the DOH.
While most people diagnosed with monkeypox experience mild to moderate illness, the rash and sores can be itchy and painful. Infection begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. Infection progresses to a rash or sores, often on the hands, feet, chest, face, or genitals. Individuals generally become ill within 21 days of exposure.
The DOH is using Hawaii’s limited vaccine allocation to vaccinate close contacts of people known to have monkeypox, and for people who may have had high-risk exposures in venues or areas where monkeypox is actively spreading.
Vaccines are not available through healthcare providers at this time, but availability is expected to increase in the coming weeks and months.
Monkeypox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material, or items used by someone with monkeypox. Monkeypox may be spread through large respiratory droplets. These droplets generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged face-to-face contact is required.
Nationwide, the current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. In Hawaii, at least some of the cases have been reported among gay or bisexual men.
However, anyone who has close contact with someone with monkeypox is at risk of infection, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
