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The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state Department of Health have confirmed a case of monkeypox in Camden County, bringing the state's total to 8 confirmed cases.
The first case in New Jersey was contracted by a North Jersey resident on June 18.
According to the CDC, there are currently 460 confirmed cases of monkeypox across 31 states and Puerto Rico.
"The threat to Camden County residents from monkeypox is extremely low right now," said Paschal Nwako, Camden County health officer and public health coordinator. "Monkeypox is very containable when immediate care has been sought for symptoms."
A resident traveling out of state had their laboratory test results come back positive for orthopoxvirus.
Once the confirmation was made, an investigation was initiated by the county health department and local public health officials.
"There is no need for panic, but we are encouraging residents to stay vigilant and to watch for symptoms," Nwako said.
Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and a pimple or blister-like rash. Monkeypox is spread from person to person through direct contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can also be spread by face-to-face contact through respiratory droplets or during close contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sexual intercourse.
The state Department of Health has made Camden County a regional storage hub for the monkeypox vaccine. Moving into the future, any regional health departments in South Jersey with cases and close contacts will be able to work with the public.
The individual is isolated at home, contact tracing was performed, prophylaxis was provided to any close contacts, and the case remains under investigation.
To learn more about monkeypox, visit cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox or call the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.
