Mid-Hudson News is reporting that Ulster County has its first confirmed case of monkeypox, county Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith said on August 6. Smith said the county has been poised to respond quickly to ensure public health and safety. Public health nurses are conducting case investigations to identify potential close contacts, and those close contacts will be offered the vaccine by the county health department. Others who believe they have been exposed to monkeypox may also be eligible for the vaccine and should call their doctor, officials said. Smith said the county has “a limited supply of ... vaccine to administer to individuals who meet the criteria established by the New You State Department of Health.” Monkeypox is a viral infection in the same family as smallpox and spreads in several ways such as by direct contact with monkeypox lesions through skin-to-skin contact, or by contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from someone with monkeypox. It can also spread through touching objects, fabric and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox. Information is available online at the New York State Department of Health’s website. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.