COLUMBUS – The state says there have been 147 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ohio with the state’s most populous counties reporting the most cases.
Cuyahoga County, including Cleveland, has seen 69 cases while Franklin County and Columbus have reported 33, according to a new public dashboard created by the Ohio Department of Health.
Much like a similar website established to track the spread of COVID-19, the new dashboard shows the total number of cases across the state, the number of cases per county, the age range of people affected by monkeypox, the percentage of cases by sex, and hospitalizations and deaths, if any, Department of Health director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said.
“The risk of contracting monkeypox for most Ohioans remains low, as this virus does not easily spread like COVID-19. However, it is important to continue to do all we can to mitigate the spread of this virus and to reduce the burden of illness,” Vanderhoff said.
Monkeypox is spread through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox.
The state’s first case of monkeypox was reported on June 13.
Monkeypox can cause a rash that may look like pimples or blisters, which will change and turn to scabs before healing. Some people may get flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
People who have been exposed to monkeypox or believe they may be at high risk for exposure should contact their healthcare provider or local health department for more information about vaccine or possible treatment options, Vanderhoff said.