Texas identifies first death involving monkeypox

Tuesday, September 6, 2022 

On Tuesday, August 30, public health officials in the US state of Texas identified the state's first death involving a patient who had been diagnosed with monkeypox. The notice indicated the deceased as being a resident of Harris County, Texas.

The Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Dr. John Hellerstedt, was quoted in the release as saying, "Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems. We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease."

Sources indicate officials are investigating what role, if any, monkey pox played in the death of the patient. However, sources did note the deceased as having been an, "...immunocompromised adult."

Sources[edit]

• Press Release: "Texas Confirms First Death of a Person with Monkeypox" — Texas Health and Human Services Commission, August 30, 2022
• Cady Stanton. "Texas officials investigating whether monkeypox played role in death of immunocompromised adult" — USA Today, August 31, 2022