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Volusia County reports first confirmed case of monkeypox, 7 cases confirmed across Central Florida

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Health experts in Volusia County announced Friday they are investigating a confirmed case of monkeypox.

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The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the case. The individual case is isolated and no additional cases have been identified, health officials said.

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Health experts are conducting investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Monkeypox is a viral disease once rare in the U.S. and has historically occurred mostly in Central and Western Africa, the health department said.

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The virus is spread through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox. Transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with an active rash or indirect contact with an active rash through contaminated items such as clothing, according to health officials.

The threat of monkeypox to the general public remains low.

READ: What is monkeypox and what are the symptoms?

There have been seven confirmed monkeypox cases since the first of the year across all Central Florida counties, and 24 probable cases, according to the Department of Health. Of those cases, six were in Orange County and one is in Seminole County.

Florida has 373 cases.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.