Whitman County Public Health received a confirmed positive result of monkeypox Tuesday afternoon.
The person, a Whitman County resident, did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home. Whitman County Public Health is working to identify others who may have been exposed. To date, no one who was exposed is considered a possible positive case. Depending on the situation, people who had close or intimate exposure to a person with monkeypox might be advised to get a vaccine for monkeypox. Whitman County Public Health, DOH, and the Centers of Disease Control are coordinating to provide vaccine to exposed contacts who choose to receive it.
Transmission of monkeypox requires close interaction with a symptomatic individual. According to the CDC, brief interactions that do not involve physical contact as well as healthcare interactions conducted using appropriate protective equipment are not high risk.
