Hidalgo County confirmed its first case of monkeypox Monday.
A news release from the county said a health laboratory confirmed the case over the weekend and that officials with the county’s Health and Human Services Department are working with the individual to begin contact tracing to determine others who may have been exposed locally and start getting those who are most at risk vaccinated.
The individual’s identity will not be released.
“Privacy laws preclude releasing many details of this case, other than it is suspected to be travel related,” the release said. “The gender and age range of the individual cannot be revealed at this time, health officials said.”
That individual is being encouraged to isolate at home and is cooperating with health officials, the release reads. Officials are strongly encouraging local health care providers to be diligent about suspected cases and to report confirmed cases to the county health department.
Cameron County confirmed its first case of monkeypox last week.
Earlier this month Hidalgo County health officials received enough doses to vaccinate 1,250 patients against monkeypox.
“The confirmation comes days after Hidalgo County and other health agencies began administering a monkeypox vaccine locally,” Monday’s release said. “Because of the limited supply of vaccines, health officials are targeting high risk individuals for the preventive measure.”
