Thurston County reports first probable local case of monkeypox

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) reported the county’s first probable monkeypox case in a press statement released earlier today.

According to the press release, a private laboratory in the state reported a specimen coming from a Thurston resident who had no recent travel history and tested positive for “non-variola orthopox virus.”

“Since there are no other orthopox viruses currently circulating,” explained PHSS, “a positive test result is presumed to be positive for monkeypox.”

Monkeypox, according to PHSS, is a viral illness that starts with flu-like symptoms and causes a rash in most people who become infected. It is spread through contact with lesions, intimate skin-to-skin contact, respiratory droplets, and objects contaminated with infectious material and can cross the placenta in pregnant people. Symptoms typically start within three weeks of exposure, and patients with flu-like symptoms will often develop the namesake rash within four days.

Individuals are infectious until the rash has completely healed, which is usually in two to four weeks, PHSS detailed.

PHSS reported that there have been 488 identified monkeypox cases in Washington State since the first confirmed case on May 27.

“Avoid close skin-to-skin contact, including sex, until you have been evaluated by your healthcare provider,” warned PHSS. “If testing for monkeypox is performed, you will need to isolate at home away from other people and pets in your household until you get your test results.”

PHSS assured that, at present, the public risk for the general public is low and that there is no need to be administered the monkeypox vaccine, JYNNEOS unless a high risk of exposure has been established.

“Eligible Thurston County residents can call 360-867-2610 to schedule a monkeypox vaccine appointment,” PHSS stated.