Should I be worried about monkeypox?
There is a recent increase in reported cases where monkeypox is not commonly seen, including in the United States and California. While it’s good to stay alert about any emerging public health outbreaks, the current risk of getting monkeypox in the general public is very low.

Is monkeypox a new disease?
No, monkeypox is not a new disease. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monkeypox is endemic (regularly found) in west and central African countries.

Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cuddling. Monkeypox can spread through touching materials used by a person with monkeypox that haven’t been cleaned, such as clothing and bedding. It can also spread by respiratory secretions (talking, coughing, sneezing, breathing) during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact.

• Direct skin-skin contact with rash lesions
• Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing
• Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone
• Sharing towels or unwashed clothing
• Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)

 

There are number of ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including:

• Always talking to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and being aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus
• Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes
• Avoiding contact with infected animals and materials contaminated with the virus
• Isolation of infected persons until their symptoms, including rash, have gone away completely
• Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms
• Practicing good hand hygiene

What should someone do if they are exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms? 

Additionally, the person should clean and disinfect surfaces such as counters, toilet seats, faucets, using an EPA-registered disinfectant (such as List Q) after using a shared space. This may include during activities like showering, using the toilet, or changing bandages that cover the rash. Consider disposable glove use while cleaning if rash is present on the hands.

Hand Hygiene, Source Control, and Personal Protective Equipment

• Hand hygiene – the use of an alcohol-based hand rub or hand washing with soap and water – should be performed by people with monkeypox and household contacts after touching rash material, clothing, linens, or environmental surfaces that may have had contact with rash material.
• Cover all skin rashes to the extent possible by wearing long sleeves or long pants. Gloves can be considered for covering rash on the hands when not in isolation such as when receiving medical care.
• People with monkeypox should use well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask), if close contact with others cannot be avoided, such as when receiving medical care.
• Other household members should wear a respirator or a well-fitting mask when in close contact (e.g., within 6 feet) with the person with monkeypox for more than a brief encounter.
• When possible, the person with monkeypox should change their own bandages and handle contaminated linens while wearing disposable gloves, followed by immediate handwashing after removing gloves.
  • As a last resort, if assistance is needed with these activities, a household member should avoid extensive contact and wear, at a minimum, disposable medical gloves and a well-fitting mask or respirator. Any clothing that contacts the rash during dressing changes should be immediately laundered. Gloves should be disposed of after use, followed by handwashing.

Contain and dispose of contaminated waste, such as dressings, bandages, or disposable gloves. See Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings.

Monkeypox vaccines will now be administered intradermally. This strategy involves injecting a smaller dose of vaccine intradermally, or in the upper layer of the skin. The strategy, called dose sparing, could turn a one-dose vial of the vaccine into up to five separate doses. 

It is critical to note that while this approach will extend the U.S. supply of JYNNEOS, vaccinated individuals will not receive “partial” doses.  They will receive a full dose of vaccine for intradermal administration producing a similar level of immunologic response as a full dose for subcutaneous administration.  Equally important to note is that protection conferred by the JYNNEOS vaccine requires two doses given 28 days apart – whether administered via the subcutaneous or intradermal routes. At this time, anyone age 18 and older who is eligible for the vaccine can receive an intradermal dose. This method will expand access to vaccines, thus slowing and preventing the spread. For more information, visit U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.