The first pediatric case of monkeypox (MPX) in Riverside County was confirmed Friday in a news release from the Riverside University Health System — Public Health.
The child is under 10 years old and is recovering at home without the need for hospitalization, according to the news release.
"This case reminds everyone that MPX can impact anyone, regarding [sic] of age, gender, or sexual orientation," Geoffrey Leung, the county's public health officer, said in the news release.
Officials from Riverside University Health System — Public Health received notification this week that the child had tested positive for MPX, the news release noted. The source of the infection remains under investigation.
There are approximately 250 probable/confirmed cases of MPX in Riverside County, according to the news release. The majority of these cases occurred in Coachella Valley; a few were reported in women.
The monkeypox virus most easily spreads through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or bodily fluids, the news release noted. MPX also can spread through materials such as bedding or clothing that were used by an infected person and not cleaned. Health officials advised residents to protect themselves from MPX by avoiding close contact with people who exhibit symptoms like sores or rashes.
To stay safe, it's important to practice good hand hygiene; use a mask, gown, and gloves when caring for people with MPX symptoms; and avoid contact with infected materials.