37 new monkeypox cases reported in Massachusetts

BOSTON — The number of new monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth continues to climb.

State health officials confirmed 37 new cases in the state, bringing the confirmed total number of cases to 317 since the first case was diagnosed on May 18.

The 37 cases announced Thursday had been diagnosed between August 25 and August 31, according to DPH.

There are currently 14 health care providers offering vaccination across the state. 15,546 doses of the vaccine have been administered as of August 31, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The DPH has urged eligible residents to become vaccinated, following updated protocols to allow the vaccine to be injected into the skin rather than a muscle group.

“Current data from CDC indicate that there have been 18,989 cases of monkeypox virus this year in US residents as of August 31,″ said DPH. “Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men continue to make up a significant proportion of the cases identified to date. However, the risk is not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.” DPH continued.

DPH says monkeypox can spread through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with rash lesions. Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing while a person is infected.
• Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone. Sharing towels or unwashed clothing.
• Respiratory secretions through face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happens when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)

DPH says monkeypox does not spread through:

• Casual conversations. Walking by someone with monkeypox in a grocery store, for instance. Touching items like doorknobs.

“Clinicians are asked to be alert to the possibility of monkeypox virus infection in individuals who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox,” said DPH. “Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, but rash may be the first symptom.”

More information about monkeypox is available on the DPH and CDC websites.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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