The United States has recorded a second death linked to monkeypox, officials said Tuesday, despite a decline in infections in the country.
The deceased was a resident of Los Angeles, suffered from severe immunodeficiency and was hospitalized, according to a statement from local health authorities, who did not release more details to protect the privacy of the deceased.
“People with severe immunodeficiency suspected of having monkeypox are advised to seek medical attention and treatment early and remain under observation throughout the illness,” the statement said.
The United States recorded the first monkeypox-related death on August 30, knowing that authorities said the deceased was severely immunocompromised and that they were investigating to determine the extent of the infection’s impact on his death.
The announcement of the second monkeypox-related death comes at a time when the number of infections in the country has been declining since mid-August.
In the United States, 22,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported during the current outbreak, which began in May.
460,000 doses of the disease vaccine have been received in 35 states and other administrative divisions, according to the Data Tracking Center, and the strategy appears to be paying off.
The current outbreak is primarily affecting gay and bisexual men.
The disease is usually transmitted by contact with skin blisters or saliva from an infected person, or by contact and sharing of bedding or towels.
An infected person remains contagious until all of the blisters have crusted over and new skin has formed.
Although it is not a sexually transmitted infection, it can be transmitted through close contact, such as through sexual intercourse.
This disease, known since 1970, belongs to the smallpox family, which was eradicated almost forty years ago, but is less dangerous than it. This is a rare disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans through infected animals.
The disease initially causes an increase in body temperature and progresses rapidly to a rash with scales. It is often benign and usually heals in two or three weeks.
