The monkey’s death was confirmed by LA County health officials

Angels – A Los Angeles County resident has died from monkeypox, local health officials said Monday. It is believed to be the first US death from the disease.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health The spokesman said that the cause of death was announced and confirmed by an autopsy. The patient is highly immunocompromised and hospitalized. No other information was released about the man.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking cases and has not confirmed any deaths from the disease in the US. LA County officials said they worked with the CDC on their case.

A CDC spokeswoman confirmed the cooperation but did not immediately respond when asked if this was the first American death.

Texas public health officials said in 2016 that August 30 He reported the death of a person infected with monkey disease. The man was immunocompromised and his case is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox may have played in his death.

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Monkey disease is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact and long-term respiratory droplets. It can cause a rash, fever, body aches and chills. Relatively few people require hospitalization and only a handful of people worldwide die directly from the disease.

The CDC recommends the rabies vaccine for people who have had close contact with someone who has the disease. People who knew a sexual partner were found in the last two weeks; and gay or bisexual men who have had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area known to have spread the virus. Immunizations are also recommended for health care workers at high risk of exposure.

According to the CDC, the United States leads the world with 21,985 people infected with the virus. California has recorded more than 4,300 cases nationwide. Blacks and Latinos are disproportionately affected.

A recent decline in cases, coupled with increased vaccination coverage, He encouraged the White House. Officials have promised to ramp up vaccination supplies at LGBTQ Pride festivals in the coming weeks.