MONTGOMERY-The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) reports at least 139 cases of monkeypox as of October 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently noted that severe manifestations of monkeypox have been seen in the current outbreak in the United States. While anyone can be infected with the contagious rash illness, male-to-male sexual contact has been a risk factor.
Monkeypox is usually transmitted through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact or through broken skin, respiratory droplets or mucous membranes. Monkeypox causes a rash that starts as flat spots, which then becomes raised, develops into vesicles, and finally appears pustular. In this outbreak, some people have only had rash, but other symptoms, such as fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle aches and headaches can occur with the rash. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms begin until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take two to four weeks.
Individuals with any symptoms of monkeypox should discuss their symptoms with their healthcare provider. Of significant concern is that persons who are immunocompromised, due to HIV or other conditions, are at greater risk for severe manifestations. Fortunately, there are diagnostic and clinical management strategies that may help address them.
ADPH continues to provide guidance and resources to educate, test, treat and prevent this illness. Not all cases of monkeypox require treatment, but people with this diagnosis need to isolate and follow infection control measures to reduce transmission of the virus to other people. Direct contact persons of individuals with the illness may benefit from vaccine given within 4 to 14 days of contact. A two-dose vaccination series is available to persons at higher risk.
Monkeypox testing continues to be offered at county health departments, and clinical testing is available through the ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories at no charge to the patient. Some commercial and clinical laboratories also test for monkeypox.
In addition to education for persons to reduce the risk of monkeypox, ADPH promotes the use of Jynneos vaccine. Selected county health departments in Alabama have Jynneos vaccine in stock, but all local county health departments can provide information about appointments and administer vaccine if persons cannot travel to selected counties.
The ADPH monkeypox webpage continues to update information for healthcare providers and the public, including weekly data updates. See the links below:
https://www.
https://www.
Media Release/Wes Stubblefield, M.D./ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
