NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) identified the first confirmed case of orthopoxvirus, presumed to be monkeypox, in a resident of Dane County on Thursday.

Image/Robert Herriman

The patient is currently isolating and the risk remains low for the general public.

As of July 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 460 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

“The number of monkeypox cases continues to rise in the U.S., so it is not a surprise that monkeypox has now been detected in Wisconsin,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard. “While it’s likely that additional cases will be found among Wisconsinites, we are relieved that this disease does not spread easily from person to person. We’d like for all clinicians to remain alert to patients with compatible rashes and encourage them to test for monkeypox. We want the public to know that the risk of widespread transmission remains low.”