By Tim Mastro

DOVER — The Delaware Division of Public Health announced the state’s first case of the monkeypox virus on Tuesday.

The division received results this week showing a 41-year-old New Castle County man tested positive for the virus. It said the case is considered probable, pending confirmatory testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Delaware man did not report any travel or exposure to someone known to have monkeypox but is believed to have been exposed to the virus after close intimate contact with an individual in early July, according to Public Health.

The individual is self-isolating and the division said it is working with him to identify any possible close contacts. Currently, Public Health is working with CDC to confirm the course of treatment for this individual.

“The Delaware Division of Public Health has prepared to respond to MPX (monkeypox) cases,” said Dr. Rick Hong, interim direction of the division. “As we work to confirm our first case in the state, we encourage Delawareans to be aware of being in close intimate contact with individuals who have rashes or flu-like symptoms. We will continue to monitor this situation closely.”

A division spokesperson said Delaware was allocated 227 vials of the JYNNEOS vaccine last week. This vaccine is indicated for prevention of smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults 18 years of age, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The allocation of vaccine to the state was made before the first positive case was identified. The order has not been placed yet, according to a division spokesperson.

Monkeypox is a rare, smallpox-related disease that can cause sickness and a rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, often with an earlier flu-like illness. Delaware is the 39th state to report a positive case of the virus.

Transmission of monkeypox occurs when a person encounters the virus from an animal, human or materials contaminated with the virus, Public Health said. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).

Public Health said in a statement the overall risk of monkeypox is low. It is generally caused by close intimate contact, however there are other ways it can spread including:

• Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids.

• Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.

• Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.

• Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

• It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.