-Tamara’Shanay-

Cousins!

There is currently an investigation underway following surrounding the death of a patient who had been diagnosed with MonkeyPox to determine the role the virus played!

According to CBS News, an announcement from earlier today issued by Texas health officials, confirmed that the unidentified patient was the very first person to have passed away since the outbreak came underway.

The patient is said to have passed away on Sunday within a Texas’ Harris County hospital with, “various severe illnesses” . Official autopsy results are said to be forwarded within ” the next few weeks.” 

“We are sharing this information to err on the side of transparency and to avoid potential misinformation about this case,” Lina Hidalgo, Harris County’s top official, said in a statement.

Officials also share that the adult patient was, “severely immunocompromised” .

“This is the first death in an presumed positive for monkeypox that we are aware of. However, the individual had various severe illnesses and until the investigation is complete, it is premature to assign a specific cause of death,” reads a statement from CDC spokesperson Scott Pauley.

Since Monday of this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed a total of 15 patients have Friday since being diagnosed with MonkeyPox.