First probable case of monkeypox found in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Health said that the first probable case of monkeypox has been found in the state.

The Department of Health said that a Providence County man in his 30s tested positive for an orthopox virus, and is waiting for results from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monkeypox test.

The health department said it believes that the probable case is related to recent travel to Massachusetts. No further information on the probable case was immediately released.

The Bay State had its first confirmed case back on May 18. The Massachusetts man had traveled to Canada before contracting the illness.

“While monkeypox is certainly a concern, the risk to Rhode Islanders remains low — even with this finding. Monkeypox is a known — and remains an exceedingly uncommon — disease in the United States. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for monkeypox that can be given before or after exposure to help prevent infection,” said Dr. James McDonald, interim health director.

Monkeypox is typically limited to Africa, and rare cases in the U.S. and elsewhere are usually linked to travel there. A small number of confirmed or suspected cases had been reported last month in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain. U.S. health officials said they were in contact with officials in the U.K. and Canada as part of the investigation.

Monkeypox is a “rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms,” health officials said. The disease then progresses to a rash of the face and body with most infections lasting two to four weeks.

The last cases in the United States were in 2021 and found in residents of Texas and Maryland that had traveled to Nigeria.