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A monkeypox case in a Snohomish County resident was confirmed Friday, July 8, the Snohomish Health District said.

This is the first known case in the county. As of Friday, at least 15 other confirmed and probable cases of monkeypox have been identified in Washington state.

Monkeypox is a virus that spreads through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Anyone can become ill with monkeypox, but some people are at increased risk of exposure. Individuals who are at higher risk in the current outbreak include men who have sex with men, people who are sexually active with multiple partners, and people traveling to areas where monkeypox is spreading more widely.

Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash that can appear anywhere on the body, as well as flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes. The current outbreak has included many cases with lesions in the genital or anal area.

To protect yourself and others:

• Be aware. While monkeypox remains generally low risk in Washington, those at higher risk of exposure should consider precautions. This can include avoiding or limiting sexual contact with new or unknown partners; clear communication with potential partners about whether either of you is experiencing symptoms; and avoiding close physical contact with anyone who has symptoms, particularly open wounds, sores, or rashes.

• Be alert for the appearance of a new rash or rashes characterized by sores, bumps, or fluid-filled bumps.

• If you have symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox in the last 21 days, you should contact a healthcare provider to see if you should be tested.

The monkeypox case in Snohomish County is in an adult male, and public health staff have been working with the individual to directly contact people who were potentially exposed.

This virus spreads through contact with body fluids, sores, items like clothing or bedding that have been contaminated with fluids or sores, or through prolonged face-to-face contact in which respiratory droplets from a case enter the mouth or eyes of another person.

People typically recover in two to four weeks, and most cases do not require hospitalization. However, the disease can be serious, particularly for those who are immunocompromised, children, people with a history of eczema, or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.