Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today announced that Albany County’s first case of monkeypox (orthopoxvirus) has officially been identified. The infected person has a history of out of state travel and is not believed to have contracted this in Albany County. Monkeypox is a viral infection that is extremely rare, which oftentimes does not cause serious illness; however, it can lead to hospitalization and death, especially if left untreated. Infections spread through close physical contact between individuals or between individuals and contaminated objects, and typically last about two to four weeks. 

As of July 18, there have been at least 651 confirmed cases of monkeypox identified throughout New York State, the vast majority of which (an estimated 618) are located in New York City. The first infection outside of New York City was identified in Sullivan County on June 7. Additional monkeypox infections have been reported and confirmed in Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau, Monroe, Erie, Chemung, Rockland and St. Lawrence Counties. 

“As we learn more about this case of monkeypox and those around the state, now is not the time for alarm or panic. Albany County has demonstrated our ability to deal with communicable infections in the past and we will bring that same focus and professionalism to this outbreak. We stand ready to work with the Governor and the State Department of Health to ensure we have the treatments, vaccines and response necessary to protect our residents,” said County Executive McCoy.

Please use the link here from the New York State Department of Health for additional background information on the symptoms of monkeypox, how the infection spreads, strategies to avoid exposure, and steps to take if an infection may have occurred.