Officials say the first monkeypox case in a Broome County resident has been identified.

The county health department made the announcement Friday afternoon. No information was released on the age, gender or location of the person.

The resident was said to be "home at this time." According to the health department, there were no identifiable close contacts.

Officials say the risk of transmission remains low for Broome County residents.

Mary McFadden, the county director of public health, had anticipated a monkeypox case eventually would be confirmed in a Broome resident. She had noted the high number of cases in the New York City area and the number of people who travel back and forth between the two regions.

As of Friday, 1,289 of the state's 1,383 confirmed monkeypox cases were in New York City. 36 cases were reported in Westchester County and 27 cases were reported on Long Island.

Monkeypox is a viral illness that does not usually cause serious illness. It can become more severe, sometimes resulting in hospitalization. Symptoms include rashes, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes. Infections usually last between two and four weeks.

Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids. People who don't have monkeypox symptoms can't spread the virus to others.

Although monkeypox vaccines have been available in New York City and on a limited basis elsewhere in the state, no vaccinations are being offered in Broome County.

More information on the monkeypox virus is available at www.health.ny.gov/monkeypox.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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