Over the past week, there have been an additional 23 reports of monkeypox in South Carolina.
Monkeypox (MPX) cases totaled 80 in the state as of Friday, according to the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control. On August 12, one week earlier, 57 instances had been reported. Here is the most recent state-by-state breakdown of the virus’s reported locations by DHEC.
22 cases in the Lowcountry, 29 cases in the Midlands, 5 cases in the Pee Dee regions and 24 cases in the Upstate
The largest increase, seven new cases added week over week, was in the Midlands. According to the department’s website, “DHEC is reacting to these cases and immunising high-risk contacts with a safe, FDA-approved MPX vaccine.” “South Carolina has administered 648 immunizations overall and received 4,287 doses of the Jynneos vaccine from the federal government to date.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus that causes monkeypox is identical to the one that causes smallpox but is less severe and rarely fatal.
The Jynneos vaccine, which is effective against monkeypox, was developed to stop smallpox from spreading.
DHEC warns that due to the way the virus spreads, immunisation against monkeypox is not currently advised for the general populace. Currently, immunisation against the monkeypox is only advised for those who belong to high-risk groups.
