Harris County resident with monkeypox dies, marking first death in the U.S. linked to the virus

State health officials confirmed Tuesday that a Harris County resident who was diagnosed with monkeypox has died. It is the first death in the state, and possibly the country, connected to the virus. (Credit: via REUTERS)

An adult Harris County resident who was diagnosed with monkeypox has died, marking the first publicly reported death associated with the virus in the U.S., health officials said Tuesday.

The person was “severely immunocompromised,” Texas Health and Human Services officials said. State health officials cautioned that while the person had the disease, it was still being investigated how that factored into the death. Officials said an autopsy was being performed and they expected the results to be ready in a few weeks.