Federal and local health officials have confirmed the first death of a person with monkeypox in California.
Monkeypox was first reported as the suspected cause of death last Thursday by an official with Los Angeles County's Department of Public Health.
Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the death Monday. The L.A. County resident was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized with the virus, according to Public Health.
"Public Health sends heartfelt condolences and wishes of healing to the family and friends mourning the loss of their loved one," said a statement released Monday.
The agency did not release other details about the deceased person.
This is only the second death in the current U.S. outbreak linked to monkeypox, according to Dr. Rita Singhal, chief medical officer for Public Health.
The first death tied to monkeypox in the U.S. was reported Aug. 30 in Harris County, Texas.
More than 1,800 people have tested positive with monkeypox in L.A. County. Cases in the outbreak have largely been centered among men who have sex with men, particularly those with multiple sex partners.
Health officials also announced expanded eligibility for the free monkeypox vaccine, now to include people “who are at risk for future exposures,” Singhal said last week.
L.A. County residents who self-attest to being in the following groups may get the vaccine:
