Officials with the Lexington Fayette County Health Department confirmed the case Wednesday afternoon. So far in Kentucky, three cases have been confirmed in Jefferson County and there are more than a dozen other probable cases coming from other counties.
The Lexington Fayette County Health Department is holding a monkeypox vaccine clinic on Thursday, though vaccines are limited and spots are only open to people at high risk. A health department official told WEKU that no other vaccine clinics are scheduled at this time, but the situation changes daily.
According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, monkeypox typically begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion followed by a rash. The illness usually lasts 2-4 weeks and infected persons are considered contagious while symptoms are present.
In a sea of partisan news, WEKU is your source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.