First Case of Monkeypox Identified in La Crosse County

(KWNO)- La Crosse County Health Department along with the Wisconsin State Health Department announced in a press release today that they have identified the first case of orthopoxvirus, or monkeypox virus, in La Crosse County.

As of yesterday, this marks the 32nd total case of monkeypox in the state of Wisconsin. Minnesota remains higher with 58 confirmed cases.

The State Health Department says the risk of widespread transmission remains relatively low but citizens can take precautions to avoid the disease.

One, in particular, is knowing the symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, headache, exhaustion, and new unexplained rashes that develop into hard, round, fluid, or pus-filled skin lesions.

If sick with monkeypox, isolate at home until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

The CDC says that it can take anywhere from two to four weeks to be clear of symptoms after contracting the virus.

The CDC also said that those with the smallpox vaccine are much more protected from contracting the virus.