Hays County reported its first monkeypox cases.
The Hays County Local Health Department reported two confirmed monkeypox cases on Friday. Both cases are being investigated to determine who may have had direct contact with the patients. The county said it would not release any identifying information to protect patient confidentiality.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the ongoing monkeypox outbreak spreading across the U.S. and several countries. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus that is a part of the same family viruses as variola virus which causes smallpox, according to the CDC. Monkeypox is rarely fatal but causes a rash, fever, intense headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes.
