This is sad news, though it's worth stressing once again that monkeypox is a virus severely limited in the demographics it sickens:

State health leaders confirmed Tuesday the first death in Texas of a person who was diagnosed with monkeypox — an adult from Harris County. It could be the first in the United States.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said the person who died was "severely immunocompromised." The death is being investigated to learn what role monkeypox played.

State health leaders explained for most people, monkeypox is painful but not life threatening.

Of course we don't know how the late patient in Texas, may they rest in peace, contracted the virus. Yet as ever, the basic rule about how to not get monkeypox is: Don't have a bunch of anonymous/risky sex with strangers. Avoid that and you're more or less bulletproof from getting this virus.

Strangely enough, in its announcement of the patient's death, the Texas government did not suggest that people avoid such behavior while the outbreak continues.

Well, you heard it here first!

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