CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cuyahoga County is currently having an outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, according to health officials.
According to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the county has documented nine Mpox cases from February through April 23, 2024.
According to the CCBH, six cases were reported in the county and three were reported by the Cleveland Department of Public Health. Those diagnosed with Mpox in Cuyahoga County are between the ages of 17 and 44.
The CCBH is strongly encouraging those who may have been exposed to Mpox to get tested as soon as possible and for medical providers to keep Mpox as part of their differential diagnosis.
The CCBH says that if a provider sees a patient with lesions or a rash, or if they are part of the at-risk population, they should be tested for Mpox.
According to the CDC, Mpox symptoms include a rash that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth or near genitals. The rash goes through several stages that initially looks like pimples or blisters and eventually scabs over.
“The incubation period is 3–17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine,” the CDC website says.
Other symptoms can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache and respiratory symptoms, according to the CDC.
Diagnostic testing and Mpox vaccines are available at CCBH clinic location on 5550 Venture Drive in Parma and 4200 Warrensville Center Road in Warrensville Heights.
Click here for more information about Mpox.