Monkeypox cases continue to climb.
Florida reported more than 300 new monkeypox cases in a week and, for the third week in a row, was still the third highest state for confirmed cases in the U.S.
As of Monday, the Florida Department of Health reported 1,588 confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox in 30 counties, according to its tracker on flhealthcharts.gov. A week ago, the state reported 1,266 cases in 28 counties — that’s a jump of 322 probable or confirmed monkeypox cases here since Aug. 15.
Monkeypox symptoms: Is your rash a symptom of chickenpox, shingles or monkeypox?
Fact check: Monkeypox is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine, experts say
It should be noted that the case numbers in Florida vary from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. The CDC, for example, shows 1,372 confirmed cases for the Sunshine State, an increase of 287 confirmed cases in a week. According to the CDC, here’s a snapshot of U.S. and Florida confirmed cases in the past few weeks:
• As of Aug. 22, the CDC listed 14,115 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the U.S. and 1,372 in Florida.
• As of Aug. 15, the CDC listed 11,177 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the U.S. and 1,085 in Florida.
• As of Aug. 8, the CDC listed 7,510 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the U.S. and 633 in Florida.
• On Aug. 1, the CDC had reported 5,189 confirmed cases in the U.S. and 373 cases in Florida.
• On July 22, the CDC had reported 2,891 cases in the U.S.
• A presumptive positive case was first announced in Florida on May 22.
The USA TODAY Network-Florida has been writing weekly monkeypox case reports since the week of July 20, when the state department of health reported 226 cases here and the CDC reported 1,470 nationwide.
Check back with us for more monkeypox coverage, including case counts, vaccine info or general questions about this virus.
Top 5 states for monkeypox cases
According to the CDC, these are the Top 5 states reporting confirmed monkeypox cases and their case counts as of Aug. 15:
- New York, 2,744, a rise of 449 cases in a week
- California, 2,663, a rise of 718 cases in a week
- Florida, 1,372, a rise of 287 cases in a week
- Texas, 1079, a rise of 264 cases in a week
- Georgia, 1,066, a rise of 215 cases in a week
Top 5 counties in Florida for monkeypox cases
According to the Florida Department of Health’s tracker, these are the Top 5 counties reporting confirmed or probable monkeypox cases:
- Miami-Dade
- Broward
- Orange
- Hillsborough (this county previously was not in the Top 5 for monkeypox cases)
- Palm Beach
Monkeypox photos, skin lesions: What the rare disease looks like
Monkeypox cases in Florida
Here’s a list of total cases by county with notes in increases and first case. This info is from the Florida Department of Health’s reportable disease frequency report, with data range from May 22 to Aug. 21:
Alachua, 3 (up 2 from Aug. 15)
Brevard, 6 (up 1 from Aug. 15; monkeypox first was detected here Aug. 1)
Broward, 495 (up 59 from Aug. 15)
Charlotte, 1 (unchanged since Aug. 8)
*Citrus, 1
Clay, 4 (up 2 from Aug. 15; monkeypox first was detected here Aug. 8)
Collier, 3 (unchanged since July 25)
Duval, 19 (up 6 from Aug. 15; cases were first detected here week of July 25)
Escambia, 1 (unchanged since Aug. 15, when monkeypox was first detected here)
Flagler, 1 (unchanged from Aug. 1, when monkeypox case was detected here)
July 29: Flagler County reports its first monkeypox case
Hillsborough, 89 (up 37 from Aug. 15)
Lake, 5 (unchanged from Aug. 15)
Lee, 12 (up 4 from Aug. 15)
Leon, 6 (up 3 from Aug. 15, when monkeypox first was detected here)
Marion, 2 (unchanged from Aug. 15, when monkeypox was first detected here)
Martin, 6 (unchanged from Aug. 15, monkeypox first was detected here week of Aug. 1)
Aug. 1: Martin County reports 2 cases of monkeypox
Miami-Dade, 599 (up 106 cases from Aug. 15)
Monroe, 16 (up 2 from Aug. 15)
Orange, 116 (up 39 from Aug. 15)
Osceola, 17 (up 9 from Aug. 15, monkeypox was first detected here Aug. 1)
Palm Beach, 75 (up 16 from Aug. 15)
Pasco, 6 (up 2 from Aug. 15, monkeypox was first detected here Aug. 1)
Pinellas, 66 (up 18 from Aug. 15)
Polk, 7 (up 2 from Aug. 15)
Santa Rosa, 1 (unchanged)
Sarasota, 2 (up 1 since Aug. 15)
Seminole, 15 (up 5 from Aug. 15)
*St. Johns, 2
St. Lucie, 5 (up 2 from Aug. 15; the week before that, there were 2 cases from week of Aug. 8)
Aug. 5: First monkeypox case reported in St. Lucie County, third in Treasure Coast region
Volusia, 7 (up 3 from Aug. 15)
July 29: Volusia County reports its first monkeypox case
*denotes first confirmed or probable cases for the county since the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s July 25 report, using stats from the state department of health
Previous USA TODAY Network-Florida reports for monkeypox
Monkeypox symptoms, vaccines and other info
Below are some common questions associated with monkeypox and other things to know. The USA TODAY Network-Florida will produce a weekly report on the virus, the counties affected and case counts every Monday using stats from the Florida Department of Health and the CDC.
What are monkeypox symptoms?
Monkeypox symptoms are milder than those of smallpox, according to the CDC.
It begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days after fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. Incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.
How do you get monkeypox?
Possible human-to-human transmission includes:
• coughing. If an infected person coughs, it can be spread through respiratory droplets via the eye, nose or mouth.
• animals. The virus can be transmitted by a bite, scratch or body fluids. Rodents are the primary source.
• broken skin. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, even if the break is not visible.
Is monkeypox a gay disease?
No. Although the latest majority of monkeypox can be transmitted through close or intimate contact, it’s not required, and the virus can spread to anyone of any sexual orientation. At least two children in the U.S. in close contact with infected family members have been diagnosed with it.
When should I get tested?
The CDC and the Florida Department of Health recommend testing if you see suspicious skin lesions or if you’ve had close personal contact with someone who may have a confirmed or probable case.
Is there a monkeypox vaccine?
Yes. The CDC states: “Because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, vaccines developed to protect against smallpox viruses may be used to prevent monkeypox infections. The U.S. government has two stockpiled vaccines — JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 — that can prevent monkeypox in people who are exposed to the virus. Vaccines may be recommended for people who have had or may have contact with someone who has monkeypox, or for healthcare and public health workers who may be exposed to the virus.”
Closer look: Rising reports of monkeypox cases in US and around the world raise concern
Monkeypox hotline
If health care providers suspect a possible case of monkeypox, immediately contact your county health department via the Florida Department of Health website or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.
Contributing: USA TODAY
