With monkeypox confirmed in Stanislaus County, what precautions should you take?
Stanislaus County health officials have reported the county’s first case of monkeypox illness.
A news release Tuesday said an adult male was infected with monkeypox disease, which has been causing outbreaks in the United States and other countries.
The man was in isolation. The news release said he has not been hospitalized. Additional information was not released because of medical privacy.
County public health said the local risk of contracting monkeypox is low. The symptoms include a rash anywhere on the body, flulike symptoms and swollen lymph nodes.
According to health experts, the monkeypox virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with the rash, scabs or bodily fluids. Most cases result from intimate contact with an infected person.
“The United States is currently experiencing a monkeypox outbreak, and there will likely be additional cases in Stanislaus County in the weeks ahead,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, the county’s public health officer. “We ask our community members to learn about the symptoms and ways this infection spreads so they can take actions to protect themselves and others.”
The monkeypox virus can be spread by “respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex; and touching items such as clothing or linens that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids,” said the county Health Services Agency news release.
More than 350 cases of monkeypox have been reported in California. Many people infected during the recent outbreaks have a rash looking like pimples or blisters on the face, hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus, the Centers for Disease Control says.
County health officials said people usually recover in two to four weeks. Most of them do not require hospitalization.
The news release said the disease can be serious for individuals with compromised immune systems and for children, adults with a history of eczema or pregnant or breastfeeding women. Rarely is it fatal.
County public health staff said they were in contact with the infected person and will monitor any other cases that emerge. If infected individuals have been in contact with anyone, county staff will inform them how to watch for symptoms and make sure they are taking precautions.
Anyone with symptoms or recent close contact with a person diagnosed with monkeypox in the last 21 days is advised to contact a healthcare provider about testing.
The county’s strategy for containing a local outbreak includes education on social media and working with community-based organizations to inform people about the contagious disease. County Health Services soon will have a web page with detailed information.
According to the news release, people are advised to take precautions such as:
▪ Avoiding close contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
▪ Talking with potential partners about whether they have symptoms. Avoid close physical contact with anyone who has symptoms including open wounds, sores or a rash.
▪ Not touching bedding, towels or clothing of a person suffering from monkeypox.
Additionally, those with an active rash or other symptoms should stay away from people or pets in their household.
There is a vaccine for monkeypox but the quantities are limited. The vaccine is made available to those with a high or intermediate risk of exposure to someone infected with monkeypox, said Kamlesh Kaur, a spokeswoman for county public health.
Kaur said the county will reach out to individuals directly and offer the vaccine if they’re at risk of exposure to confirmed cases. The California Department of Public Health, which receives a limited supply from the CDC, will provide the vaccine.
Kaur said people who have a rash or suspected symptoms of monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider about testing and what to do next. County public health has been making doctors aware of the testing available, what to look for and how to assess the risk, she said.
This story was originally published July 19, 2022 at 1:21 PM with the headline "With monkeypox confirmed in Stanislaus County, what precautions should you take?."
