Push Admin

Second US monkeypox death as virus linked to brain inflammation

Article (news)

Issam Ahmed, Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (blue) found within an infected cell (red), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/09/15/monkeypox-niaid-9152022.jpg"/><figcaption>Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (blue) found within an infected cell (red), cultured in the laboratory.<em> Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>WASHINGTON — A second US death was linked to monkeypox on Tuesday as health authorities published a study describing how 2 previously healthy young men experienced inflammation of the brain and spinal cord as a result of the virus.</p><p>There have been nearly 22,000 US cases in the current global outbreak, which began in May, but new infections have been falling since mid-August as authorities have distributed hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses.</p><p>The latest fatal case involved a severely immunocompromised resident of Los Angeles County who had been hospitalized, the local health department said, without revealing further details about the case.</p><p>&quot;Persons severely immunocompromised who suspect they have monkeypox are encouraged to seek medical care and treatment early and remain under the care of a provider during their illness,&quot; the department said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/08/31/22/first-death-linked-to-monkeypox-reported-in-us">First death linked to monkeypox reported in US</a></li></ul><p>The first US death linked to the viral illness occurred in Texas and was announced on Aug. 30, although authorities said that as the person was severely immunocompromised, they were investigating what role monkeypox had played.</p><p>The current global outbreak is primarily affecting men who have sex with men.</p><p>Historically, the virus has been spread via direct contact with lesions, body fluids and respiratory droplets, and sometimes through indirect contamination via surfaces such as shared bedding. </p><p>But in this outbreak, there is preliminary evidence that sexual transmission may also play a role.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/08/30/22/monkeypox-patients-reveal-psychological-scars">&#x27;Crying all the time&#x27;: Monkeypox patients reveal psychological scars</a></li></ul><div><strong>BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD INFLAMMATION</strong></div><p>The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meanwhile published a report about 2 unvaccinated men in their 30s who experienced brain and spinal cord inflammation after testing positive for the virus.</p><p>The first, patient A, was a gay man in his 30s from Colorado whose symptoms began with fever chills and malaise but progressed to rashes on his face, scrotum and extremities, with swabs of lesions testing positive for the virus.</p><p>He also developed lower extremity weakness and numbness, was unable to empty his bladder, experienced a persistent and painful erection, and was hospitalized.</p><p>Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed brain and spinal cord inflammation, and he was treated with the oral monkeypox antiviral tecovirimat as well as other drugs, and began to improve at 2 weeks.</p><p>He was released but continued to have left leg weakness and required an assistive walking device at 1 month follow-up.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/08/02/22/peru-registers-first-death-of-monkeypox-patient">Peru registers first death of monkeypox patient</a></li></ul><p>A second person, patient B, was also a gay man in his 30s from the capital Washington. His fever, rashes and muscle pain progressed to bowel and bladder incontinence and progressive flaccid weakness of both legs.</p><p>Brain and spinal cord inflammation was confirmed on MRI and he was intubated in an intensive care unit, where he was treated with intravenous tecovirimat, as well a drug to reduce inflammation, and finally blood plasma exchange.</p><p>He remains in hospital but can walk with the assistance of a device.</p><p>The report said the underlying mechanism behind the 2 cases was unclear -- it might have been direct invasion of the central nervous system, or an autoimmune response triggered by monkeypox infection elsewhere in the body. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/13/22/doh-3rd-4th-monkeypox-cases-still-recovering">DOH: 3rd, 4th monkeypox cases recovering; contacts asymptomatic after quarantine</a></li></ul><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2233387" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

The latest fatal case involved a severely immunocompromised resident of Los Angeles County who had been hospitalized.

Second US monkeypox death as virus linked to brain inflammation

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Overseas

Second US monkeypox death as virus linked to brain inflammation

Issam Ahmed,

Agence France-Presse

Published Sep 15, 2022 02:57 PM PHT

Read More:

health

monkeypox

virus

disease

monkeypox death

PH monkeypox cases

US

US CDC

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.