NJ records 8th case of monkeypox, first confirmed in Camden County

A Camden County resident is now in isolation with a confirmed case of monkeypox as the total number of cases slowly increases across the state.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health have confirmed the new case, according to Camden County. The county said it has conducted contact tracing and is investigating to make a vaccine available to close contacts.

A lab test result confirmed the case of orthopoxvirus, according to Camden County. The resident had traveled out of state but was in isolation at home on Tuesday.

This is the latest case since the state reported its first probable case on June 20.

As of Tuesday evening, the state health department was reporting eight probable and confirmed cases in New Jersey.

Camden County Public Health Coordinator Paschal Nwako said antiviral treatment and a monkeypox vaccine are available.

“The threat posed by monkeypox to residents of Camden County is extremely low at this time,” Nwako said. “Monkey pox is highly manageable when immediate care has been sought for symptoms. There is no need to panic, but we encourage residents to remain vigilant and watch for symptoms. »

The CDC has reported at least 560 cases of monkeypox nationwide. California and New York combined for 207 of those cases.

Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at [email protected]

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