UPMC Children's Hospital employee diagnosed with monkeypox

A UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh employee who works in an outpatient clinic has been diagnosed with monkeypox, officials said Friday.

“Precautions to prevent transmission were already in place and were followed, so we believe there is very low risk of exposure,” said Beth Mausteller, a spokeswoman for the UPMC health care system.

Nonetheless, she said, patients and staff who might have been in contact with the employee are being notified.

All told, 38 people in Allegheny County have been diagnosed with monkeypox, including about 10 in August.

The virus, part of the orthopoxvirus family, is similar to smallpox, but it is usually mild and often causes no symptoms, according to the state Department of Health.

Those who experience symptoms could have fever, headache, muscle ache, swollen lymph nodes and “a general feeling of discomfort and exhaustion.” Within days of the onset of the fever, patients can develop lesions. Some get a rash and then lesions, while others develop a rash only.

According to the state agency, although the virus does not spread easily from person to person, it can be transmitted through prolonged face-to-face contact, intimate contact or touching linens or clothing touched by an infected individual.

The department notes: “While many of those affected in the current outbreaks are gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness.”

In Allegheny County, vaccines are available for those who have had a high-risk exposure in the past 14 days. For a full list of those being prioritized for vaccination, visit alleghenycounty.us/monkeypox.