FBISD became the second school district in the Houston area to announce a monkeypox case, following IDEA Public Schools.
Google MapsFort Bend ISD has reported its first monkeypox case after a student at Ridge Point High School contracted the disease, according to an announcement on the district’s website.
Families and employees at the high school were notified of the case, the district said. Fort Bend County Health and Human Services is investigating and contract tracing all possible exposures and will notify anyone at risk.
The district added that it is following guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and has frequent cleaning protocols in place.
CASE TRACKER: Tracking monkeypox in Houston and Texas
Monkeypox arrived in Texas in June and was quickly declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization and the White House. The virus is a skin ailment that produces painful blisters all over the body and can lead to more severe symptoms like fever and chills. It is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact but can also be transmitted through the remains of the virus left on fabric.
FBISD is the second Houston-area district to announce a monkeypox case, along with IDEA Public Schools. There have been 533 cases in Harris County total, as of Aug. 29.
Statewide cases hit the 500 mark in early August, increasing more than sixfold in just 2 weeks. By mid-August, cases topped 1,000. Most of the cases in Texas concern males in between the ages of 30-39 years.
Anyone with questions can contact the Fort Bend County Health and Human Services call center at 281-633-7795 or visit their website.
Ryan Serpico contributed to this report.
