Riverside County Public Health launches monkeypox site

The Riverside County Department of Public Health has launched a brand new web site to share data with the neighborhood about monkeypox.

You can go to https://rivcoph.org/Monkeypox to get the newest data on the virus right here in Riverside County.

Last week, the county introduced its first possible case of monkeypox, a person in his 60s from japanese Riverside County. Health providers in Palm Springs told News Channel 3’s Jake Ingrassia that the particular person was presumably uncovered to Monkeypox after attending an LA Pride occasion.

We realized on Wednesday that the patient was treated in the Coachella Valley.

Local well being officers have stated that whereas monkeypox just isn’t but widespread, the neighborhood ought to be aware of precautions that may be taken to forestall its unfold. News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with Barbara Cole, director of the Riverside County Disease Control, who stated the general threat of transmission is low.

“We need individuals taking preventive measures. for example, if they’ve intimate contact with somebody, have they got a rash? Are they unwell? so that they keep away from direct publicity if that is attainable,” Cole stated.

While Cole stated the danger of transmission is low, Dr. Phyllis Ritchie, CEO and Founder of PS Test in Palm Springs, strongly suspects there are different undiagnosed circumstances regionally.

“This is about to blow up in Palm Springs and elsewhere,” she stated. “I feel it is really already right here past only one affected person,” Ritchie informed Jake Ingrassia on Monday.

There are a complete of 396 confirmed circumstances of monkeypox within the United States as of June 30. There are 89 confirmed circumstances in California. Riverside County has not confirmed a case to this point, simply the one possible case.

Riverside County is anticipating to obtain vaccines for the monkeypox inside the subsequent few weeks.

During her interview with News Channel 3, Cole outlined the county’s plan for distributing vaccines as soon as they arrive within the area.

Check Out Our Full Interview with Riverside County’s Chief of Disease Control

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970, in keeping with native well being officers. Monkeypox has been beforehand reported in different central and western African nations. Before the 2022 outbreak, almost all monkeypox circumstances in individuals outdoors of Africa had been linked to worldwide journey to nations the place the illness generally happens, or by means of imported animals.

Health officers urge that if develop signs, akin to fever, headache muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills exhaustion or a rash that appears like pimples or blisters, contact your doctor or an pressing care facility.

If you’ve gotten lesions, well being officers additionally urge you to to not attend social occasions the place you would possibly unfold the illness.

Residents are inspired to evaluate the CDC’s ideas for preventing exposure to monkeypox.