WORCESTER - The City of Worcester confirmed there have been two cases of monkeypox among city residents. Monkeypox is a rare disease that can make you sick and give you a rash.
The Telegram & Gazette was the first to report the two cases on Thursday.
As of Aug. 4, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports 157 cases of monkeypox in Massachusetts residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. The new data represents an increase of 42 cases in Massachusetts since July 28. The DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis every Thursday.
The DPH is working with local health officials, patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious.
Current data from CDC indicate that there have been 6,617 cases of monkeypox virus this year in US residents as of Aug. 3. Regularly updated case counts can be obtained on the CDC’s website: 2022 U.S. Map and Case Count.
Vaccinations are available to individuals who live or work in Massachusetts and meet the CDC’s current eligibility criteria, prioritizing those who are most at risk of exposure to an individual with monkeypox.
The CDC vaccination criteria includes:
The DPH will expand vaccine eligibility if and when more doses are received from the CDC.
