PA has more than 330 cases of monkeypox. See cases across the US with this interactive map

Pennsylvania’s monkeypox case count hit 336 Monday, up more than 130 cases since Aug. 5, according to the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new infections in the Keystone State comes as the U.S. continues to identify more cases of the virus, including at least seven pediatric cases.

Monkeypox is part of the same virus family as smallpox, though monkeypox is milder and rarely fatal, according to the CDC.

There have been five cases in the north central region of the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported. That region includes Centre, Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Synder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.

The agency declined to release further localized data about the cases, citing patient confidentiality.

To date, the CDC reports 11,890 U.S. cases of monkeypox connected the 2022 outbreak. You can see cases by state using the interactive graphic below.

Note: This graphic will automatically update as new data become available.

Symptoms of monkeypox and how to reduce your risk

A common symptom of monkeypox is a rash, which can occur near the genitals, anus, hands, feet, chest, face or mouth, according to the CDC. It can initially look like pimples or blisters and can prove itchy or painful.

Other symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, backaches, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion or cough.

Not all individuals experience all symptoms, some only get the rash.

The CDC says symptoms typically begin within three weeks of exposure and can last two to four weeks.

“Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed,” the CDC states.

The virus spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, intimate contact, via the placenta during pregnancy or can be transmitted from an infected animal, the federal agency reports.

Monkeypox is a virus that can infect any individual, regardless of sexual orientation.

“People who believe they have developed monkeypox, believe they have been exposed to monkeypox or believe they should be tested for monkeypox should immediately contact their health care provider, local health department or call the Department of Health at 877-PA-HEALTH to help evaluate their risk and direct them to get tested or receive a vaccine, if needed,” PADOH press secretary Mark O’Neill wrote in an email to the Centre Daily Times.

Centre County does not have a local health department, but those who are concerned they may have been exposed or have symptoms can contact their doctor or the state agency.

Those who test positive should isolate until their rash has healed to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to others.

Vaccines in Pennsylvania

Monkeypox vaccines are in short supply in the U.S., but the federal government is distributing available supplies to state and local health agencies.

Eligibility varies, but generally, only certain at-risk groups, such as men who have sex with other men, and those with suspected exposure are being inoculated at this time.

Per the PADOH, the following individuals may be eligible for a vaccine:

• Those who have been identified as a contact with a positive case
• Those who may have been exposed
• Those on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

If you are a Pennsylvanian trying to determine vaccine eligibility, you are asked to call 877-PA-HEALTH.

O’Neill declined to say how many monkeypox vaccines had been administered by the state agency.

“While data on the administration of vaccines are being collected as health officials focus on making vaccines available to those who need them, vaccine administration data has not been fully processed or reviewed to share at this time,” he stated.