New York City Department of Health spokeswoman Monica Pomeroy said she was unable to release the age of the minor. “In cases where the number of cases is small, patient confidentiality prohibits the Department from disclosing this information,” Pomeroy said. Previously, at least two other children in the US had cases of monkeypox, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One case involved a California infant and the other involved a non-US resident infant. The two cases are unrelated and likely the result of household transmission, the CDC said. Public health officials are investigating how the children became infected. Since the monkeypox outbreak in May, most cases have occurred among men who have sex with men. But anyone can catch the virus through close skin-to-skin contact. In the case of children, the CDC said, this could include “holding, cuddling, feeding, as well as through shared objects such as towels, bedding, cups and utensils.” The CDC said the Jynneos vaccine is available for children through special expanded use protocols. The agency has also developed new guidelines for healthcare providers on the detection, treatment and prevention of monkeypox in children and adolescents. CNN Health’s Brenda Goodman and Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report.
