First US monkeypox death has been confirmed

The first death resulting from monkeypox in the US has been confirmed by health officials.

On Monday, 12 September, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health announced that an LA resident had passed away from the virus.

It added that the patient had been 'severely immunocompromised' and was 'hospitalised' before succumbing to the illness.

Alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency said in a statement: "Public Health sends heartfelt condolences and wishes of healing to the family and friends mourning the loss of their loved one.

"The resident was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized.

"To protect confidentiality and privacy, additional information on this case will not be made public.

"Persons severely immunocompromised who suspect they have monkeypox are encouraged to seek medical care and treatment early and remain under the care of a provider during their illness."

US residents were also urged to visit the site's page on monkeypox for further advice.

According to the World Health Organization, the monkeypox virus generates less severe but similar symptoms to those seen in the past in smallpox patients.

Initially, those with the virus tend to suffer from flu-like effects such as muscle aches, fever, swollen lymph nodes and intense headaches.

After around one to three days, a rash tends to appear causing lesions in certain areas of the body, although how severe they are varies from case to case.

The virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.

Last month, the Biden Administration officially declared monkeypox a public health emergency after recording more than 6,000 cases in the US.

Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra announced the emergency declaration in order to free up medical funds and tools to help combat the disease, according to Reuters.

"We're prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus," he said in a call.

Becerra also revealed that the US has the capacity to conduct 60,000-80,000 tests for monkeypox every week, versus when the virus began when they could only conduct 6,000 tests.

Recent figures listed by the CDC suggest there are now 22,630 of confirmed cases in the country.

A vaccine that is approved for the prevention of the monkeypox disease is available to individuals in the US who are 18 years of age and older and at high risk of infection. 

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