States Report Six Deaths of People With Monkeypox

Four US states reported six deaths of people with monkeypox. However, not all deaths were caused by the infection.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced two deaths of people with monkeypox, both of whom had underlying conditions. The deaths are currently under investigation to determine whether the virus caused them.

In Illinois, the Chicago Department of Public Health reported two deaths due to monkeypox. Officials say both individuals had other health conditions, including weakened immune systems. They received a monkeypox diagnosis more than six weeks ago and had been hospitalized.

On Friday, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released a statement announcing the death of a person in which monkeypox was a contributing factor.

“The individual was immunocompromised, resulting in a more severe case. MDH will not be providing additional information to protect patient confidentiality,” the statement says.

The Southern Nevada Health District also announced the death of a resident who was diagnosed with monkeypox. Officials say that the patient was a male over the age of 50 and had underlying medical conditions whose death was attributed to other causes.

The first confirmed US death due to monkeypox was reported in Los Angeles County in mid-September. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the patient was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized.

Ohio and Texas each reported the death of a monkeypox patient; however, it remains unclear whether the deaths were caused by the virus.