The first case of Monkeypox has been reported in Lake County, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus that occurs mostly in central and western Africa, but also occurs in other parts of the world. It has now spread to the United States and is causing increasing alarm among health officials.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin of The Villages recently wrote about the dangers of Monkeypox.

Three Monkeypox cases have been reported in neighborhing Orange County and one case has been reported in Seminole County.

The monkeypox virus can transmit from animals to humans. These animals include different African rodents and monkeys. Once a person becomes infected with the monkeypox virus, they can pass it to other people. Monkeypox is not a very contagious disease, and the risk for contracting monkeypox is generally low.