Monkeypox is spreading throughout the country, but South Carolina health officials said in an update Wednesday that the risk to the general public remains low.
The CDC says there are 23 cases of monkeypox in South Carolina. Officials say monkeypox starts out as a fever or flu and then turns into a rash with fluid-filled lesions. The virus is not easily spread.
"Face-to-face contact, prolonged skin-to-skin contact including sexual contact, or less commonly through contaminated materials like clothing or linens from an infected person," said Dr. Linda Bell, DHEC. Right now, experts say monkeypox is seen predominantly in one group. Dr. Bell said they do not want to stigmatize any group, because anyone can get monkeypox. DHEC received 1,200 doses of the vaccine from the federal government.