Hidalgo County will begin making monkeypox vaccinations available next week after receiving doses from the state on Thursday.

The county received enough vaccines to immunize about 1,500 to 2,000 people which they will begin administering to at-risk communities, according to Hidalgo County Health Authority Ivan Melendez.

“We have approximately enough vaccines currently to vaccinate between 1,500 to 2,000 people,” Melendez said Friday. “In a population of 1.2 million, it’s not a lot but I think, quite frankly, that those people that are at risk will certainly be able to get vaccinated so that’s very encouraging.”

On Thursday, Hidalgo and Cameron County officials announced they, along with Starr and Willacy counties, would be receiving limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine from the state. Information about where high risk residents can obtain a vaccine will be provided at a later time, county officials said.

They assured the vaccinations are only a preventive measure as there have been no verified cases in the Valley. As of Friday, though, there have been a total of 815 cases in Texas, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The monkeypox virus can spread when a person comes into contact with an infected animal, infected person, or fomites — inanimate objects that have been contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms can include lesions and scabs, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Those who are experiencing those symptoms are asked to immediately contact their healthcare provider.

Cameron County health officials urged the public to follow preventative practices including:

>> Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash.

>> Do not touch any rashes, scabs, or lesions.

>> Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after using the bathroom.

>> Practice social distancing.

>> Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Early next week, county officials from all four counties will begin making the doses available to high risk populations. County officials said information about where those doses can be obtained will be relayed at a later time.

Melendez appeared optimistic given that, so far, there have been no reported deaths due to Monkeypox in the United States, though there have been 10 worldwide. He also added that a therapeutic treatment called Tecovirimat, or TPOXX, shows promise in treating monkeypox.

However, while the drug is FDA approved for smallpox and chickenpox, it is currently only an “investigational” drug for monkeypox, making it hard to access.

In addition to vaccine availability, Melendez said testing for monkeypox is also expected to be made available locally.

“Soon, probably by next week, testing will be done locally here in the county,” he said. “So testing’s improving, treatment is improving, therapeutic options are improving, vaccinations are improving so I think we’re in a good place.”