Monkeypox: 2 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the Houston area, including one in Harris County

The Houston Department of Health announced on Saturday a confirmed monkeypox infection in a Houston resident who recently traveled abroad.

The resident developed symptoms after returning from the trip and is suffering from a mild illness. The resident did not have to be hospitalized and is in isolation at home.

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) also confirmed its first case of monkeypox in the county from an out-of-state resident on Saturday.

That individual has since left Harris County and returned to their state of residence, according to the HCPH.

The news came shortly after the Houston Health Department confirmed his first case.

The department and HCPH say epidemiologists will reach out to people who have had direct close contact with the resident during the infection.

Monkeypox typically begins as a flu-like illness with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, chills and fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. A rash develops one to three days after the onset of the fever, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.

The monkeypox threat to Houston remains low. Monkeypox is rare and does not spread easily between people without close, personal skin-to-skin contact.
It can also spread from person to person through prolonged personal contact or close contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Contact with objects, such as clothing or bedding, that previously touched the rash or bodily fluids is another way of spreading monkeypox.

The illness lasts two to four weeks. It can spread from the time symptoms begin until the rash has completely healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Individuals planning international travel can view the CDC’s current recommendations for monkeypox and other communicable diseases for their intended travel destinations on their website.

SEE RELATED: Monkeypox in Texas: Single Dallas case involved person who flew in from Mexico