Monkeypox Information

• Monkeypox is spread through:
  1. The primary method is direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. This can happen during intimate contact and sex.
  2. respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
  3. touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with monkeypox
  4. being scratched or bitten by an infected animal (there have been NO infected animals reported in our area or nationally.
  5. A pregnant person can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

• Monkeypox is NOT airborne
• Monkeypox can be acquired by all people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation
• Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.

While anyone can get monkeypox regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Some people are at a higher risk right now. Those that are at high risk are able to be vaccinated.

• 1. Men who have sex with men, including those who identify as gay, OR bisexual, OR transgender, OR gender non-conforming, OR gender non-binary who are 18 yrs or older AND
     •  Have had multiple or anonymous male, transgender, or gender non-conforming sex partners in the past 14 days; OR
     • had a diagnosis of gonorrhea and/or early syphilis within the past 12 months; OR
     • are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) OR
     • Persons who attended an event/venue where there was a high risk of exposure to an individual(s) with confirmed monkeypox through skin-to-skin or sexual contact in the last 14 days. OR
     • Individuals who, on a case-by-case basis, are determined to have reasonable suspicion of recent direct skin-to-skin contact to a known or suspected case of monkeypox.

You may experience all or only a few symptoms.

Monkeypox symptoms may include a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body such as genitals. Additional flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, muscle aches and/or exhaustion. In some cases, it causes more serious complications like pneumonia and other illnesses. Most people do not require hospitalization or die from monkeypox. The monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, physical contact with someone who has monkeypox. ​

The Rash: A rash that may be located on or near the genitals but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

• The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
• When you see a healthcare provider, wear a mask, and remind them that this virus is circulating in the area.
• Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.

There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.

Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.

If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think you had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

• Having multiple or anonymous sex partners may increase your chances of exposure to monkeypox. Limiting your number of sex partners may reduce the possibility of exposure.
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox.

Vaccine supply is currently limited and not recommended for those that are NOT at a high risk of exposure at this time.

Criteria for vaccination:

1. Men who have sex with men, including those who identify as gay, OR bisexual, OR transgender, OR gender non-conforming, OR gender non-binary who are 18 yrs or older; AND

• 1. •  Have had multiple or anonymous male, transgender, or gender non-conforming sex partners in the past 14 days; OR
     • had a diagnosis of gonorrhea and/or early syphilis within the past 12 months; OR
     • are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) OR
     • Persons who attended an event/venue where there was a high risk of exposure to an individual(s) with confirmed monkeypox through skin-to-skin or sexual contact in the last 14 days. OR
     • Individuals who, on a case-by-case basis, are determined to have reasonable suspicion of recent direct skin-to-skin contact to a known or suspected case of monkeypox.

IF YOU MEET THIS CRITERIA AND WOULD LIKE TO BE VACCINATED PLEASE CALL THE PURCHASE DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT MCCRACKEN COUNTY HEALTH CENTER AT 270-444-9625 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

Information compiled from KDPH and CDC.

Find out more information by visiting:

https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/idb/Pages/monkeypox.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html