POSTED: Aug. 12, 2022
Joint Release from Clatsop County Public Health, Columbia Memorial Hospital and Providence Seaside Hospital
The Federal Government and World Health Organization have both declared hMPXV to be a public health emergency. The current hMPXV situation requires a coordinated, robust response. Calling it an “emergency” is not intended to provoke panic, but will help marshal resources to respond to the outbreak. It will strengthen our ability to respond through case investigation, contact tracing, vaccination of those who need it, providing care for those who are ill, and other needs.
As of Aug. 10, about 32,000 confirmed cases were reported worldwide, and more than 9,500 in the United States. In Oregon, a total of 95 confirmed and presumed cases have been recorded in seven counties. According to Oregon Health Authority (OHA), about 90% infected are male (about 70% of them are men-who-have-sex-with-men), and about 30% are Latinx. No cases have been reported in Clatsop County.
Clatsop County Department of Public Health, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Providence Seaside Hospital, and local healthcare providers are ready to work together on the county’s response to this outbreak.
WHAT IS MONKEYPOX/hMPXV?
hMPXV is a viral zoonotic disease. This means that a virus jumps from an animal to a human originally, then spreads among humans. The virus is the cousin of smallpox. Before this outbreak, most reports of infections were in rodents and non-human primates. While generally less severe and contagious than smallpox, hMPXV can be an unpleasant and sometimes serious illness.
The current version of hMPXV circulating has a more than 99% survival rate if infected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The more people who get hMPXV, the more likely it is to mutate and become more transmissible or deadly.
Most people with hMPXV get better on their own without treatment. Antiviral therapeutics is only recommended for those severe cases who are hospitalized according to CDC
HOW IS IT SPREAD?
Most cases in the current outbreak have resulted from direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with active lesions. Although not observed in the current outbreak, theoretically, contact with contaminated objects (e.g., towels, bedding, or other fomites containing body fluids) or prolonged face-to-face close contact with an ill person could result in transmission.
Transmission risk overall is low (basic reproduction number ~2), and the greatest risk occurs following intimate, skin-to-skin contact.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
In the current outbreak, all patients have a rash, scattered or diffuse, associated with pain. The rash often looks like pimples or blisters at the start. It may be located on or near the genitals or anus. The rash typically evolves through several stages: flat macules or patches; then to firm, deep-seated papules; and eventually scabs and crusts over. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches. The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks
VACCINES
Vaccines to prevent and reduce disease symptoms are available in the US. The CDC recommends individuals get inoculated within four days of exposure and no later than two weeks after being exposed.
Supplies are increasing compared to weeks ago, but continue to be prioritized for those at greatest risk of infection. Vaccine side effects include mild fever, tiredness and swollen glands as well as redness and itching at the inoculation site.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF GETTING hMPXV
To avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like hMPXV, the CDC recommends taking the following steps to prevent getting hMPXV:
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with hMPXV;
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with hMPXV;
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with hMPXV;
- Wear gloves when handling or touching the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with hMPXV.
Always wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE hMPXV OR HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH hMPXV
If you are experiencing symptoms of hMPXV including rash with pain, contact your healthcare provider, or call 211 if you do not have one.
If you are clinically diagnosed with hMPXV, isolate at home and stay away from other people and pets you live with. You will be contacted by the Clatsop County Public Health Department to assist with contact tracing in order to help track the illness and stop its spread.
If you believe you have had close contact with someone who was positive for hMPXV, please contact the Clatsop County Dept. of Public Health 503-325-8500.
For more information: