Riverside County reports its second mpox case in the span of a week
Riverside County is reporting its second mpox case in the span of a week.
County Public Health spokesperson Jose Arballo confirmed the case was a man in his 40s from southwest Riverside County.
Arballo also noted that last week's case, which News Channel 3 confirmed on Monday, was in the Coachella Valley.
Before last week, the county had not reported a mpox case since July.
Riverside County now has 320 total mpox cases since the first case was reported in June 2022.
Arballo reminded residents to get vaccinated against mpox. Click here to learn about planned clinics. You can also get vaccinated on Friday, Nov. 3 at Palm Springs Pride from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose injection that helps prevent against Mpox when given before or shortly after exposure to the virus. It is available to anyone 16 years and older without parental consent. It is also available for people 16 years of age and younger, with parental consent.
On Friday, health officials in San Diego County encouraged people to get vaccinated for Mpox, as a rise in cases across the state was mirrored with 11 new cases in that county so far this month.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a virus spread through close physical contact with someone who has Mpox. Infections usually cause rashes or sores throughout the body that can last for two to four weeks. Rashes can happen in sensitive areas and can be extremely painful. Often, but not always, people with Mpox experience flu-like symptoms before the rash or sores appear.
To avoid the illness, county public health officials urge those at risk to limit contact with people with sores or symptoms, avoid touching items someone with the illness has recently handled, practice good hygiene and wash hands.
During last summer's global outbreak, Mpox affected mostly the LBGTQ+ community, but anyone can get Mpox.
For more mpox info or to make a vaccine appointment in Riverside County, visit ruhealth.org/mpox.
