OHIO, USA — Ohio has had its first death associated with the monkeypox virus, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
The adult male tested positive for the virus but also had other health conditions, ODH officials said Thursday. His location in the state is currently unknown.
The state had its first monkeypox case in June of 2022.
According to the ODH monkeypox cases dashboard, 276 total cases have been reported across the state, with 28 of those requiring hospitalization. 8,301 people in the state have started the monkeypox vaccination process and 4,032 have completed it.
There are seven cases in Lucas County as of Thursday. 27 people in Lucas County have started the vaccination process and two have completed it.
Cuyahoga County in northeast Ohio has 140 reported cases as of Thursday, the most in the state. Three other counties in the state have case numbers in the double digits. Franklin County in central Ohio has 44, Summit County in northeast Ohio has 16 and Hamilton County in southwest Ohio has 14.
Lake County, directly east of Cuyahoga County, has nine cases and Lorain County, directly west of Cuyahoga County, has eight cases. Erie counties has two reported cases and Paulding and Putnam counties have one reported case.
The vaccination numbers of other counties in northwest Ohio are listed below:
- Defiance: 0 started, 0 completed
- Erie: 13 started, 6 completed
- Fulton: 0 started, 0 completed
- Hancock: 4 started, 0 completed
- Henry: 0 started, 0 completed
- Huron: 9 started, 3 completed
- Ottawa: 0 started, 0 completed
- Paulding: 0 started, 0 completed
- Putnam: 0 started, 0 completed
- Sandusky: 2 started, 0 completed
- Seneca: 0 started, 0 completed
- Williams: 3 started, 1 completed
- Wyandot: 0 started, 0 completed
The ODH monkeypox cases dashboard was launched on Aug. 25 and is updated on Thursdays.
Monkeypox is spread through close contact between people. The ODH recommends a few health and safety precautions:
- Avoid direct contact with the rash, sores, scabs or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
- Avoid prolonged, close contact with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox.
- Do not touch personal items used by a person with monkeypox
Monkeypox can appear as a rash that resembles pimples or blisters or people that are affected can experience flu-like symptoms. For those who think they were exposed or know someone who was, visit ODH's website to learn more.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOL 11 for the latest updates.