First U.S. Monkeypox-Related Death Reported in Texas

Officials say fatal cases are extremely rare and the Texas patient was "severely immunocompromised."

Christopher Wiggins

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Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support.

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Christopher Wiggins

August 30 2022 12:10 PM EST

August 30 2022 12:16 PM EST

The first patient with MPV (monkeypox virus) has died in Texas.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) released a statement reporting that a Houston-area MPV patient had passed.

"The patient was an adult resident of Harris County who was severely immunocompromised," the statement read. "The case is under investigation to determine what role monkeypox played in the death."

Officials have not released any identifying information about the patient, nor have authorities provided any more details on the Houston case.

"Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune systems," said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner, in the announcement. "We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease."

Dr. Jennifer McQuiston with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said during a press briefing on MPV vaccination efforts that the agency is aware of the death and is investigating.

"It's our understanding this patient also had underlying health conditions and had a number of things going on," McQuiston said. "And I think that additional investigation is needed to know what role monkeypox may or may not have played in their deaths."