California monkeypox cases fall, but health disparities remain – KCRA Sacramento
The number of monkeypox cases in California hit 5,000 this week, but overall the outbreak is trending downward, state health officials said on Friday.There are also “substantial health disparities” with higher case rates reported among Black and Hispanic Californians compared to other groups, the Department of Public Health said.This week, the state transitioned from reporting the latest county data across the state twice a week to just on Fridays.Of the 5,010 cases statewide, there have been 195 hospitalizations, representing about 5% of cases.More than two-thirds of cases are among people ages 25-44, according to the state’s dashboard.More than 43% of cases are among people who are Hispanic or Latino, 33% white and nearly 13% Black or African American. More than 5% of cases are among Asians populations. In contrast, California’s population is 39% Latino, 35% white, 5% Black and 15% Asian or Pacific Islander. Overall, 96.7% of cases are among males with 82% of cases in that category impacting people who are gay and 10% of cases bisexual men, according to CDPH.“CDPH is working closely with local health departments and community partners to provide information about how to prevent MPX and to offer vaccination to persons at increased risk of infection,” officials said.State and federal health officials have stressed that anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk of contracting the virus.Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. The patient can also develop a rash days later that often begins in the face and spreads to other parts of the body. It can cause lesions. The illness can last anywhere from two to four weeks. Some people only develop the rash as their first symptom.| RELATED | CDC 2022 MPX outbreak cases and data State data of reported cases by day show that the outbreak peaked in early August.See below for a county-by-county look at case numbers.| MORE | Pucci’s Pharmacy is at the center of Sacramento County’s monkeypox vaccination effort. They want more support
The number of monkeypox cases in California hit 5,000 this week, but overall the outbreak is trending downward, state health officials said on Friday.
There are also “substantial health disparities” with higher case rates reported among Black and Hispanic Californians compared to other groups, the Department of Public Health said.
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This week, the state transitioned from reporting the latest county data across the state twice a week to just on Fridays.
Of the 5,010 cases statewide, there have been 195 hospitalizations, representing about 5% of cases.
More than two-thirds of cases are among people ages 25-44, according to the state’s dashboard.
More than 43% of cases are among people who are Hispanic or Latino, 33% white and nearly 13% Black or African American. More than 5% of cases are among Asians populations.
In contrast, California’s population is 39% Latino, 35% white, 5% Black and 15% Asian or Pacific Islander.
Overall, 96.7% of cases are among males with 82% of cases in that category impacting people who are gay and 10% of cases bisexual men, according to CDPH.
“CDPH is working closely with local health departments and community partners to provide information about how to prevent MPX and to offer vaccination to persons at increased risk of infection,” officials said.
State and federal health officials have stressed that anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk of contracting the virus.
Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. The patient can also develop a rash days later that often begins in the face and spreads to other parts of the body. It can cause lesions. The illness can last anywhere from two to four weeks. Some people only develop the rash as their first symptom.
| RELATED | CDC 2022 MPX outbreak cases and data
State data of reported cases by day show that the outbreak peaked in early August.
See below for a county-by-county look at case numbers.