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<img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/healthlogo.jpg" alt="Booune County Missouri" width="137" height="130" style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px;">
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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">August 30, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sara Humm
<br />Senior Planner
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.817.6403
<br />Sara.Humm@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">First case of monkeypox reported in Boone County</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) has announced that a Boone County resident tested positive for monkeypox. This is the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Boone County.<br /><br />When a positive case is identified, PHHS works closely with the individual to identify any close contacts and offer them education and vaccination.<br /><br />The overall risk to the public remains low as monkeypox does not spread as easily as other viruses. Monkeypox can spread from person to person through direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs or body fluids. It also can be spread during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.<br /><br />Anyone in close personal contact with a person with monkeypox can contract it and should take steps to protect themselves. To prevent the spread of monkeypox, avoid close, skin-to-skin
contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. Additionally, avoid contact with objects and materials such as towels and bedding that a person with monkeypox has used.<br /><br />Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Symptoms of monkeypox can include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Fever</li>
<li>Headache</li>
<li>Muscle aches and backache</li>
<li>Swollen lymph nodes</li>
<li>Chills</li>
<li>Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion or cough)</li>
<li>A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.
<ul>
<li>The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<br />Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. Monkeypox is rarely fatal. Anyone with symptoms of monkeypox should contact their health care provider for testing. <br /><br />Learn more about monkeypox signs and symptoms: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms/index.html">cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms/index.html</a><br /><br />PHHS continues to work with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to get a plan in place to vaccinate high-risk individuals.<br /><br />Read more information about monkeypox: <a href="https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/monkeypox">health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/monkeypox</a>.</div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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