A case of monkeypox had been detected in Westchester County, state health officials have confirmed. The Westchester case is the second detected outside New York City. The state announced on June 7 that monkeypox had been diagnosed in a Sullivan County resident.
Twenty-one cases of monkeypox have been reported in New York State, 19 in New York City. While the risk for monkeypox remains low, Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said that anyone who experiences symptoms consistent with monkeypox, such as rashes or lesions, should contact their doctor immediately.
Monkeypox is rare and has been showing up in countries where it had not previously been detected. The first U.S. case was discovered in May in Massachusetts. Monkeypox does not usually cause serious illness, but may result in hospitalization or death. Most infections last two to four weeks.