MARQUETTE, MI— The following is a release from the Marquette County Health Department:
Currently, there are no known monkeypox cases in the U.P. or Marquette County. Total confirmed U.S. cases are less than 8,000. Monkeypox is reported in 13 Michigan counties totaling less than 80 cases.
Marquette County Health Department is posting this public service announcement to inform our citizens and visitors more about monkeypox and that testing, treatment, and vaccine are locally available.
Clinical Presentation
Most monkeypox infections are currently from gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men or their contacts, including household members (including children). The median age of patients is 35 years (ranging from 18 to 76). Ninety-nine percent were assigned male sex at birth and had reported male-tomale sexual contact or intimate exposure. However, it is anticipated that this may change with the continual spread of this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the symptoms
of monkeypox can include:
All patients have a rash that looks like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms.html
Transmission
Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:
- Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
- Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
It is also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal, by preparing or eating meat, or by using products from an infected animal.
Monkeypox can spread from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html
If you are at risk and develop symptoms compatible with monkeypox, please get in touch with a health care provider as soon as possible, get tested, and practice precautions.
Treatment
According to the CDC, patients who should be considered for treatment:
- People with severe diseases requiring hospitalization
- People who are immunocompromised
- Pediatric populations, particularly patients younger than eight years of age
- People with a history or presence of atopic (allergic dermatitis and other illness)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Lesions in the eyes, mouth, genitals, or anus
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/treatment.html
Post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine
Secondary to the limited supply, the monkeypox vaccine is currently limited to post-exposure prophylaxis. The CDC recommends that the vaccine be given within four days from exposure for the best chance of preventing the onset of the disease. If delivered between 4 and 14 days from exposure, vaccination may reduce the symptoms of the disease but may not prevent the disease.
The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including:
- People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
- People who know one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
- People who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known monkeypox
As vaccine supply increases, guidance will change.
Currently, vaccine is only available through local health departments. If you think you meet the vaccination criteria, please get in touch with your health care provider or contact Marquette County Health Department at 906-475-9977.
The following websites have more detailed information
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
Michigan https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mihealthy/communicablediseases/diseasesandimmunization/mpv
Marquette County Health Department www.mqthealth.org
