The state health department has reported its first case of monkeypox.
In a statement from the North Dakota Department of Health, the individual was identified as an individual residing in eastern North Dakota who likely contracted the disease while traveling out of state. They are currently isolating and monitoring their symptoms.
Monkeypox is a viral illness that first presents with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, malaise and swollen lymph nodes. Many patients also develop a blister-like rash, and stay contagious until those lesions have scabbed over completely. It can take anywhere from two to four weeks to recover, but there have been relatively few hospitalizations and zero deaths associated with monkeypox.
The health department says risk of contracting monkeypox in North Dakota is low.