The Florida Department of Health in Broward County is Responding to Monkeypox Case

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
850-245-4111

Broward County, Fla – The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward), the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating one presumptive case of monkeypox in Broward County. This case is related to international travel, and the person remains isolated.

DOH-Broward is conducting epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis. At this time, DOH-Broward has not identified any additional cases.

Since May 14, 2022, clusters of monkeypox cases have been reported globally. On May 20, 2022, the CDC issued a Health Advisory regarding recent cases in the United States.

Prevention and Treatment

If health care providers suspect a possible case of monkeypox, immediatelycontact your local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401. Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing. Therefore, the risk of exposure remains low.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history.
Transmission and incubation
Specimen collection.
Infection control procedures in the home and hospital
Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox.
Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox.
Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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