Florida closing in on 2,000 monkeypox cases

Florida is closing in on 2,000 cases of monkeypox, a disease that can cause a painful, characteristic rash and other symptoms, with half of the counties in the state showing at least one or more infections.

In addition, cases have continued to climb for some children, teens, and young adults in Florida, although federal and global health officials have said most cases are related to contact between men. Still, anyone can get a monkeypox infection, according to health officials.

Overall, there have been 1,913 cases across 33 of Florida’s 67 counties, as of Tuesday, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Health. Most infections have been in South Florida, with Miami-Dade County reporting 704 cases and Broward County reporting 578.

Other counties with the most cases include Orange (150), Hillsborough (124), Palm Beach (86), and Pinellas (85). Duval has reported 25 cases, and Seminole has 21 cases.

And while the largest numbers of monkeypox cases are among adults from ages 30 to 44, the numbers are rising for younger adults, teens, and young children.

Data show 402 monkeypox cases in the 30-34 age group, followed by 337 in the 35-39 age group and 288 in the 40-44 group.

The data also show 19 cases in the age group of 15-19 and 94 cases in the age group of 20-24, as well as two infections among the age group of 0-4. Also, the 25-29 group has 248 cases.

However, state health officials have dismissed the idea of implementing new safety measures at public K-12 schools in the state, as previously reported by the Florida Phoenix.

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From the Florida Department of Health in Orange County

Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) expanded its Monkeypox Vaccination Appointments from 100 appointments per day to 200 appointments per day, Monday through Friday.

In addition, DOH-Orange expanded the number of locations for Monkeypox Appointments from one (1) location to six (6) locations.

This vaccination effort is by appointment only, with no walk-ins.

There are appointments still available this week, but they are going fast. Visit the DOH-Orange website for eligibility and appointment registration at: https://orange.floridahealth.gov/index.html.

Since the last week of June 2022, DOH-Orange has provided Monkeypox vaccinations to contain the spread of the Monkeypox virus. 

Anyone can get monkeypox, but men who have sex with men remain at the highest risk. Transmission of monkeypox generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with an active rash, or indirect contact with an active rash through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of Monkeypox, we encourage you to contact your healthcare provider.

Symptoms of Monkeypox include:

Fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like the hands, feet, chest, genital and anal area.