Humboldt County announced its first confirmed case of monkeypox today

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)- Humboldt County Health officials announcing our area’s first confirmed case of monkeypox.

There have been over 7-thousand cases nationwide and more than 8 hundred in California.

But this is the first time the outbreak has made its way to the North Coast.

The confirmation of our first confirmed case locally comes just a day after the Biden Administration declared a National Health Emergency.

The rare viral infection is spread through close personal contact — such as kissing and sexual contact.

Infectious disease experts say while monkeypox isn’t necessarily a cause for widespread concern people should take certain precautions.