Authorities are still undertaking tests to determine if the patient died as a result of a monkeypox infection. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has confirmed that a person has died while they were positive with monkeypox.
It’s been revealed that the adult patient was severely immunocompromised and it’s unclear as to whether or not this person died directly from a monkeypox (MPX) infection.
An investigation has been opened into the death of the Harris County resident with DSHS Commissioner Dr John Hellerstedt reminding people of the seriousness of this disease.
“Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems. We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease.”
If confirmed that monkeypox was the cause of death, it will be the first of its kind in the US.
According to the UN, there have been 15 worldwide deaths from South America, Africa, India, and Spain among some 35,000 reported cases from over 92 countries.
While most cases continue to be present within men who have sex with men, recently there have been reports that women and children have also been infected.
Relief Web says that among 22,000 cases that 397 of those were reported to be women aged mainly in their 30s.
MPX has also been confirmed in at least 17 children aged 0 to 15 within the US which has seen the highest rate of infection anywhere in the world.
The Australian government says there are 106 confirmed and probable cases, with 52 of those present in Victoria alone. Tasmania and the Northern Territory are the only places that haven’t had a confirmed case as of August 25.
Recently cases have been transmitting locally, rather than being brought in from overseas.
“We’re seeing multiple cases a day now whereas previously we were seeing maybe one or two cases a week, so we’ve seen a substantial increase and I think it’s going to continue to increase,” said Deputy Chief Health Officer Deborah Friedman.
