DAYTON — The CDC says the state of Ohio has 17 cases of Monkeypox in Ohio.
One Miami Valley doctor says we will see Monkeypox in our area and while that is inevitable, it should not be cause for alarm.
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The CDC says all but four states have confirmed cases of Monkeypox and health leaders in Ohio’s three biggest cities; Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati say the virus has reached their areas.
“I think it’s really just a matter of time before we see a case here in Dayton,” Doctor Roberto Colon of Miami Valley Hospital told News Center 7′s Molly Koweek.
He said this should not be a cause for concern for the general population.
“This is not a disease that people are going to be picking up as easily as say Covid,” said Colon.
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He explains that the virus starts out with flu-like symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes, followed by a rash that can look like pimples or blisters.
Someone is contagious until the last of those lesions have completely scabbed over.
The CDC says Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with the rash, bodily fluids, or items that touched the rash or bodily fluids; along with respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
As for things to be looking for, Doctor Colon says this includes people whio are going to be intimate with other people.
“If you see somebody that is having lesions that look a bit concerning, that should be the situation that may cause somebody a moment of pause because that may be a risk individual that you may want to avoid,” Colon said.
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While anyone can get Monkeypox, the CDC says a notable fraction of the case in this outbreak are among gay and bisexual men. There are two F-D-A approved vaccines.
Koweek checked with Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County, they says the state does not have the vaccines.