Dr. Ocoranza explains MPox transmission after 2 cases confirmed in El Paso
El Paso health officials are describing and providing more information on MPox after two cases were confirmed in El Paso.
El Paso County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocoranza said MPox is an infectious disease.
Ocaranza said the disease spreads from skin-to-skin contact and is not transmitted through air or casual contact.
"It's the same virus that we saw a couple of years ago that caused an outbreak across the US. And it is not uncommon to see sporadic cases of the MPox across the country. And El Paso, as we mentioned, is not exempt from that. So having these two cases doesn't mean that we have an outbreak. It just needed to inform the community that it can happen at any time," said Ocoranza.
Vaccines for MPox are available in El Paso County.
The two cases reported in El Paso are two men in their 40s who reside in the same household.
Both are recovering at home.
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Public Health officials have launched contact tracing efforts.
Mpox is a viral infection that spreads between people through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, and can also be transmitted from certain animals to humans. It is characterized by a distinctive rash that may be painful or itchy, which can appear on various parts of the body, progressing through several stages including scabs before healing.
Symptoms of Mpox include:
Symptoms typically begin within three weeks of exposure. Some individuals may experience only a few symptoms, while others may experience the full range.
How Mpox Spreads:
A person is contagious from the time symptoms appear until the rash has fully healed and new skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks.
Prevention Tips:
