Monkeypox Surrounds San Angelo

ODESSA, TX – The City of Odessa reported two cases of Monkeypox on Friday.

According to a release sent out by the Ector County Health Department, on Sep. 16, an Odessa hospital received two patients who had symptoms of Monkeypox. One of the cases is being listed as probable while the other is listed as suspected.

Both of those patients have been put into isolation and are not currently hospitalized. The city believes that this was an isolated incident and that citizens are not at risk. Despite that the city did not release how the two contracted the virus.

Scientist are still trying to figure out the virus, but one thing that is certain, and that is how the virus spreads. Here's what the CDC states: 

Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions.

This direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with monkeypox.
• Hugging, massage, and kissing.
• Prolonged face-to-face contact.
• Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with monkeypox and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.

The large number of cases are among homosexual men. It also can be spread between humans and animals. Earlier this year San Angelo LIVE! reported that a gay couple spread the virus to their greyhound.

So far there has not been any cases in San Angelo. However with cases in the Big Country and now the Permian Basin it may only be a matter of time before it hits the Concho Valley.

Our reporters have reached out to the San Angelo Health Department for an update on if Tom Green County has had any cases. No word as of yet.