KING COUNTY, Wash. — Public Health – Seattle & King County announced Thursday that a second probable case of monkeypox has been identified in King County.
The virus was found in a man who has traveled internationally in the past month to a country that has also reported monkeypox cases.
Health officials said the man is isolating at home.
No high-risk exposures have been identified in the county, but health officials are following up with those who had potential low or intermediate risk exposures.
While initial testing at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory on Wednesday confirmed the orthopoxviral infection, which is likely monkeypox, officials said official confirmation must come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The first case in the county was reported in May and later confirmed by the CDC.
That case was found in a man who had also traveled internationally to a country that reported monkeypox cases.
Health officials have said, “People should understand that the disease can affect anyone and those who are most at risk are those who have had close physical contact with someone with monkeypox. The risk is not limited to men who have sex with men.
“Anyone who has symptoms of monkeypox, or has been in close contact with someone with monkeypox, should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This is especially important for those who have also traveled in the last 30 days to a region reporting monkeypox cases, or who is a man who has sex with other men.”
For additional information about monkeypox, click here.