Officials say the first monkeypox case in a Broome County resident has been identified.

The county health department made the announcement Friday afternoon. No information was released on the age, gender or location of the person.

The resident was said to be "home at this time." According to the health department, there were no identifiable close contacts.

Officials say the risk of transmission remains low for Broome County residents.

Mary McFadden, the county director of public health, had anticipated a monkeypox case eventually would be confirmed in a Broome resident. She had noted the high number of cases in the New York City area and the number of people who travel back and forth between the two regions.

As of Friday, 1,289 of the state's 1,383 confirmed monkeypox cases were in New York City. 36 cases were reported in Westchester County and 27 cases were reported on Long Island.

Monkeypox is a viral illness that does not usually cause serious illness. It can become more severe, sometimes resulting in hospitalization. Symptoms include rashes, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. Infections usually last between two and four weeks.

Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids. People who don't have monkeypox symptoms can't spread the virus to others.

Although monkeypox vaccines have been available in New York City and on a limited basis elsewhere in the state, no vaccinations are being offered in Broome County.

More information on the monkeypox virus is available at www.health.ny.gov/monkeypox.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system

 

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

KEEP READING: 15 Natural Ways to Improve Your Sleep

 

More From 98.1 The Hawk