In recent weeks, you may have been hearing more about Monkeypox. There have been more cases reported in Wisconsin recently, 31 total cases in the state as of August 10th. At this time, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services notes that the widespread transmission of monkeypox to the public is relatively low. However, it is still important to understand how this virus spreads, and how to prevent it as it becomes more prevalent in the United States.

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this recent outbreak of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern. Additionally, on August 4th, the United States Department of Health and Human Services declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency.

This virus is in the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox was discovered in 1958, with the first confirmed human case in 1970.  Monkeypox is endemic in some countries in Africa. Endemic means that a disease outbreak is consistently present in a certain region, and is predictable in how it spreads. However, this virus has now appeared in countries that have not previously had cases of the virus, including the United States. The strain of monkeypox involved in the outbreak in the U.S. usually causes less severe disease. However, serious illness can still occur, which might be more likely among children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. 

Monkeypox is a virus that can spread from person to person through prolonged physical or face-to-face contact. This could include hugging, cuddling, or coming into contact with materials such as clothing or sheets that someone with monkeypox had been using. One of the most common symptoms of monkeypox is a skin rash that can look like blisters or pimples. Additional symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Most people with monkeypox fully recover within 2 to 4 weeks.

People of any gender or sexuality can become sick with monkeypox; viruses do not discriminate. At this time many, but not all, cases have been among men. Current evidence suggests that there is a disproportionate number of cases among gay and bisexual men. An outbreak could have occurred among any congregate group. Just because one group has increased risk exposure, doesn’t mean that other groups of people cannot be exposed. Monkeypox can and has infected people of any gender or sexuality.

Although monkeypox can be spread during sex or intimate contact, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). As previously mentioned, monkeypox is spread through close physical or face-to-face contact, which can include sex. 

Green County Public Health’s role during this outbreak will be to work with local community members who are impacted by monkeypox and continue to provide updates and education to the public. We will be in contact with individuals who test positive for monkeypox to provide them with guidance and monitor their symptoms. We will also get in contact with people who were in close contact with someone with monkeypox to provide them with the next steps they need to take. Lastly, we will assist eligible community members with finding a vaccine provider. 

Individuals who have tested positive for monkeypox should stay isolated away from others and avoid intimate contact (kissing, touching, any kind of sex) while they are sick. They should stay home until any rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. 

Anyone who was exposed to someone with monkeypox should monitor their symptoms for 21 days. While monitoring, people should check their temperature twice per day and contact their doctor and isolate themselves away from others if symptoms develop. Those who don’t develop symptoms can continue to go to work or to school. If your partner has monkeypox avoid sex or being intimate until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Avoid touching the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox. Standard household cleaning products and disinfectants should be used to wash any surfaces and materials that have been touched by someone who has monkeypox, followed by handwashing.

Anyone who experiences new, unexplained rashes should contact their doctor. If possible, notify them that you are concerned about monkeypox. Individuals who do not have access to a healthcare provider can contact 211 Wisconsin. They can provide free, confidential support to find a provider. To get support call 211 or 877-947-2211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Additional resources are available online at 211Wisconsin.org.

Vaccination against monkeypox does exist and is available for eligible individuals. Prior vaccination against smallpox does provide protection against monkeypox, but it may not necessarily be lifelong. JYNNEOS is the vaccine most commonly used for preventing monkeypox infection in the United States. This vaccine is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older. 

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is currently following the CDC’s recommendation to prioritize the JYNNEOS vaccine for people at the highest risk of infection. This includes people who are known close contacts of a person with monkeypox, people who attended an event or venue where there was known monkeypox exposure as well as gay men, bisexual men, trans men and women, any men who have sex with men, and gender non-conforming/non-binary individuals, who have had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days. If you are eligible to get vaccinated please contact your healthcare provider. 

The vaccine supply is limited in Wisconsin at this time, and only available at certain healthcare locations. If your healthcare provider does not have the vaccine, they can help connect you to a location that does. If you do not have access to a healthcare provider you can contact 211 Wisconsin. 

Green County Public Health will work to keep our community up-to-date on the current Monkeypox outbreak in the United States. For more information, people can visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/monkeypox/index.htm, or the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

— Bridget Craker is the Public Health Educator for the Green County Public Health Department and can be reached at bcraker@greengountywi.org or 608-328-9509.