(CMR) As Cayman Islands health officials warn residents to be aware of monkeypox, the virus has possibly moved closer to the region, with the Florida health department now investigating two presumptive cases.
The cases were identified in Broward County and have been linked to recent international travel.
The first case was reported on Sunday and the other on Monday; however, the mayor of Broward County, Michael Udine, said they are “very isolated incidents.”
The Department of Health in Broward County is working with the Bureau of Epidemiology to notify close contacts and give help to those potentially exposed, News Channel 8 reported
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said the current global outbreak of monkeypox is being spread through intimate contact. The CDC said many cases include people who self-identify as men who have sex with men. Although, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease.
Health experts said the virus first presents flu-like symptoms, then days later, a rash and blisters appear. Monkeypox is a milder case of smallpox, and it's known for lesions that develop on the body.
While there are concerns, U.S. President Joe Biden said he does not raise the level of concern as COVID-19. He, however, urged people to be careful.
“I just don't think it raises to the kind of level of concern that existed with COVID-19, and the smallpox vaccine works for it, so I think people should be careful,” he said.
Monkeypox is usually very rare outside of Africa, but it's now spreading in several countries outside the continent.
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