This is what You Need to Know About Monkeypox in Texas

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After COVID-19, you would think there wouldn’t be another infectious disease for years. Well, just as we even reached two years of managing COVID, now there is another infectious disease you need to pay attention to.

This one is called monkeypox. Texas has reported 606 several confirmed cases in cities throughout the state including Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston among the big named cities. It is also possible the number is higher since some cases may not be reported to medical officials.

Recently, a case was reported in the El Paso area. According to experts, the case was not in El Paso but in the region.

In an email, the City of El Paso Strategic Communications Director Laura Cruz-Acosta said the "case is not in El Paso County nor in neighboring counties."

Though no cases are confirmed in El Paso, this is what you need to know to help avoid getting this disease. First, let me start off that the disease is not life-threatening like COVID was. Most people who are infected are sick for about 2 weeks and should avoid contact with other people to avoid spreading the disease.

One good point is El Paso has already received 200 doses of the vaccine that City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza requested.

To be fully vaccinated, a person needs to take two doses of the vaccine. So the 200 vaccines are good for 100 people.

Cruz-Acosta said in an email:

"(W)e are ready to (administer) the vaccines to those who qualify. There are 200 vaccines available, and we can request more as needed."

The vaccine is approved for people age 18 and over and some cases for people who are younger than this Dr. Ocaranza said.

Here is what you need to know about monkeypox

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said:

“Ending the monkeypox outbreak is a critical priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. We are taking our response to the next level by declaring a public health emergency.”

The best way to prevent an outbreak is through education and spreading awareness about the disease.

Screenshot from Twitter

The best way to prevent getting monkeypox is to avoid direct contact with other people and to wash your hands if you do make contact with someone.

Here are some additional tips on monkeypox.

Screenshot from Twitter

Since July, Texas reported its first case of Monkeypox in San Antonio before it spread to other Texas cities.

Do you think monkeypox will spread as much as COVID-19 did?