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Dr. Ulyee Choe doesn't expect monkeypox to spread in K-12 schools this fall

Photo: Dr. Ulyee Choe
Photo: Dr. Ulyee Choe

Florida has reported its first monkeypox case in a child under the age of four, but state department of health officials say they don’t expect the virus to spread in schools this year. 

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The state’s first pediatric monkeypox case was identified in Martin County. 

Dr. Ulyee Choe is with the Florida Department of Health. 

He says despite this case and at least eight other cases in teens throughout the state, he doesn’t expect there to be outbreaks of monkeypox in schools this fall. 

“The school districts in general have protocols in place for any child presenting with a rash. Again, we will continue to monitor but we just, especially the K-12 we don’t believe it to be at this time a big driver for this outbreak.”

Choe says most children throughout the country who have been infected, have gotten monkeypox at home. 

“The cases that involve especially young children are usually due to household contacts and household transmission from someone that is an infected individual.”

Choe says his team will continue to carefully watch the data and partner with schools if the situation changes.

Need to check for symptoms? Clickhere.

Danielle Prieur is WMFE's education reporter.