Monkeypox case confirmed in Chelan County

East Wenatchee, WA – A monkeypox case in Chelan County was confirmed on October 5, 2022.

This is the first known case in Chelan-Douglas counties. As of October 4, 2022, there were 595 cases of monkeypox confirmed in Washington State. Monkeypox is a virus that spreads person-to-person with any kind of close, skin-to-skin contact, sharing of clothing or towels, or respiratory droplets. While anyone can become ill with monkeypox, some people have an increased risk. People who are sexually active with multiple partners and people traveling to areas where monkeypox is spreading more widely are at greater risk of contracting monkeypox.

If you have had close contact with a person who has confirmed or probable monkeypox, have severe pain, or a rash that is spreading on your body, contact your primary care provider or go to your local ER for treatment options.

If you have a known exposure, follow these steps to avoid spreading the infection:
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• Stay home except for getting health care;
• Separate yourself from other people and wear a mask if unable to isolate;
• Remain isolated until the rash is gone;
• Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items.

Typically, people recover from monkeypox in two to four weeks and most cases do not require hospitalization. However, monkeypox can be particularly serious for those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, children and those who have a history of eczema. Vaccines and treatment are available to reduce risk of transmission and severity of illness, so if you have concern for exposure or infection, please seek medical attention. If you have
questions regarding the monkeypox vaccine, please call 509-886-6400.

If you are a member of the media with questions regarding CDHD’s first monkeypox case, direct your questions to communications@cdhd.wa.gov. For additional information, visit Monkeypox |Washington State Department of Health or www.cdhd.wa.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.