A severely immunocompromised man is the first person in the United States to die after having contracted the monkeypox virus (MPV), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Tuesday. The Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement released on their website that the man, whose identity was not released publicly, died on August 28.
Officials noted that they are currently investigating what role MPV played in the man's death, as he was living with multiple illnesses at the time of his death, according to a press release from Harris County Public Health. The release also notes that an autopsy is underway and results will be made available in the next few weeks.
"Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems," Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS Commissioner, said in the statement. "We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease."
Both Harris County and the state agency urged people to contact their health providers if they are experiencing monkeypox symptoms, which include a skin rash, fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Additionally, people with MPV should stay home and avoid contact with others.
Tuesday's announcement marks one of 15 known deaths worldwide related to the ongoing outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with over 48,000 cases reported around the world so far.
Activists and advocates have criticized the United States' sluggish response to the ongoing outbreak, which has been characterized by a lack of investment in vaccines, public information about the virus, and available testing. This month, the federal government announced that they are exploring a new strategy to stretch its thin vaccine supply. The controversial method, based on a single study, involves using one-fifth of the recommended vaccine dose and giving the shot intradermally, just below the top layer of skin, rather than subcutaneously, or into the layer of fat beneath the skin. Though this method has proven effective for other vaccines, such as polio and rabies, some health professionals have expressed concern about whether this dose is enough for immunocompromised people, especially given the potential overlap of men with MPV who also have HIV.
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