‘Probable’ case of monkeypox has popped up in Missouri

A probable case of monkeypox has popped up in Missouri. 

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services has announced a probable case of monkeypox in a Kansas City resident who recently traveled out of state. 

The person did not require hospitalization. 

The department says there is no indication there is a great risk of extensive local spread of the virus, because monkeypox does not spread as easily as the COVID-19 virus. 

Kansas City Health Department disease investigators are working to determine if the patient may have been in contact with any individuals while infectious and says it will notify people if they are deemed at risk for exposure. 

The department says person-to-person transmission is possible through close physical contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores, or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.