MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported the first cases of mpox on Wednesday after identifying a cluster of cases in the state.
DHS said these are the first cases of the infection detected this year in Wisconsin, with five cases reported as of May 3.
Cases of mpox were detected in the southeastern and northern regions of Wisconsin.
Health officials explained mpox is not common, but can be a serious virus. Mpox is spread through intimate, face-to-face contact and contact with items that have been contaminated by a person with mpox.
Mpox symptoms include an unexplained rash that develops into skin lesions, as well as fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches or chills.
DHS said this cluster comes as an increase in cases has been reported nationwide. As of May 3, 535 cases were confirmed across the country.
Wisconsin health officials noted the risk to the general public is low, and encouraged those at a higher risk for mpox exposure to talk to their health care provider about vaccination. Health care providers may recommend someone get vaccinated if they are (wording theirs):
- Gay, bisexual, or a man who has sex with men including people who were assigned female at birth and have had more than on sex partner in the last six months.
- Traveling and have a sexual exposure with someone in a different area.
- In close contact with someone with mpox, including health care workers where exposure is possible.
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