Polk County Public Health Confirms State’s 2nd Case Of Monkeypox

(Des Moines, IA) — Public health officials in Iowa’s largest county have confirmed the second case of monkeypox in Iowa. According to a news release from the Polk County Health Department, the patient was likely infected during travel within the United States, is isolating, and receiving outpatient care. Iowa’s first case of monkeypox was confirmed on July First in an adult from north central Iowa. Public health officials say the virus does not spread easily and most who are contracting the virus in the U-S have had inmate, sexual contact with someone who has the virus. Monkeypox symptoms can first appear up to 21 days after an exposure, and can include a rash or lesions, enlarged lymph nodes and fever.