The United States has reported its first death of a person diagnosed with the monkeypox virus, leaving officials scrambling to investigate if the virus played any role in the death.
The death was announced on Tuesday, the 30th of August, by the Texas Department of State Health Services, stating that a “severely immunocompromised” monkeypox patient had passed away two days prior at the Harris County hospital.
While the death is being described as the first reported death of a person with the virus in the current outbreak, health officials also stress that the case is still under investigation to determine what role, if any, monkeypox played in the death.
A final autopsy report will be released within the next few weeks.
“We are sharing this information to err on the side of transparency and to avoid potential misinformation about this case,” explained Harris County chief executive and emergency manager Lina Hidalgo.
“The best way for us to fight this virus is through vaccines. Our goal is still to get as many people who qualify vaccinated as quickly as possible – I have always felt that vaccines are the key to reducing spread.”
To date, the United States has recorded more than 18,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox, while globally, there have been more than 48,000 cases and 15 deaths.
For more information on Monkeypox in Aotearoa, head to www.burnettfoundation.org.nz/articles/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-monkeypox/
