Print
Share page with AddThis

Monkeypox

The CDC is tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries including the United States that do not normally report cases of monkeypox. The CDC is urging healthcare providers and individuals to be alert for any rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox regardless of whether the individual has traveled. On July 23rd, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On August 4th, 2022, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared monkeypox a public health emergency in the United States. 

Monkeypox virus is a completely different virus than the viruses that cause COVID-19 or measles. It is not known to linger in the air and is not transmitted during short periods of shared airspace. Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with body fluids or sores on the body of someone who has monkeypox, or with direct contact with materials that have touched body fluids or sores, such as clothing or linens. It may also spread through respiratory secretions when people have close, face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. The first human case of monkeypox was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in other central and western African countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. 

Signs and symptoms of monkeypox begin with:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Backache
  • Exhaustion
  • Chills
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Within 1 to 3 days after fever, a rash, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of he body develops. The rash may be present on or near the genitals or anus, hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or vagina. The virus is contagious from the onset of symptoms until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed (several weeks). 

What You Should Do:

  • Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they do not think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
  • Avoid large gatherings like raves and dance parties where you may have lots of close body contact with others.
  • Ask any partner, especially new partners whose health status and recent travel history you are not familiar with, if they have any symptoms of monkeypox.
  • Stay informed by reading information available on DPH and CDC websites.

People who may be at higher risk for monkeypox may include but are not limited to those who:

  1. Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox
  2. Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application ("app"), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)
  3. Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing
  4. Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.).

In the current outbreak, those with disease generally describe close, sustained physical contact with other people who are infected with the virus. The CDC currently recommends that people infected with monkeypox wear a mask if they must be around others in their homes if close, face-to-face contact is likely. 

Resources:

Isolation Guidance for Infected Individuals  

Monkeypox Facts and Prevention Strategies

Pets and Monkeypox

Monkeypox Vaccination in Massachusetts

Massachusetts received an initial allocation of the JYNNEOS vaccine for preventing monkeypox infection of 2,004 doses on July 5th, 2022. The JYNNEOS vaccine requires two shots that are administered 28 days apart. 

Eligibility requirements for the JYNNEOS vaccine are as follows:

  • An individual must live or work in Massachusetts and meet the CDC's current eligibility criteria that prioritizes those who are most at risk of exposure to an individual with monkeypox. This includes:
    • Known contacts identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments (this may include sexual partners, household contacts, and healthcare workers); as well as
    • Presumed contacts who meet the following criteria:
      • Know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with monkeypox.
      • Had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in a jurisdiction with known monkeypox.

Administration of JYNNEOS will be by appointment only at one of the designated health care locations below:

  1. Fenway Health (Boston): Appointments can be scheduled by calling 617-927-6060, Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM
  2. Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Health Clinic (Boston): Appointments can be made by calling 617-726-2748, Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM
  3. Boston Medical Center Infectious Disease Clinic (Boston): Appointments can be made by calling 617-414-4290, Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM
  4. Outer Cape Cod Health Services (Provincetown): Appointments can be made by calling 508-905-2888, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM.
  5. JRI Health (Framingham): Appointments can be made by calling 508-935-2960 Mondays and Fridays between 8 AM and 4 PM and Tuesday through Thursdays between 8 AM and 6:30 PM
  6. Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (Lawrence): Appointments can be made by calling 978-685-7663 Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM
  7. Health Innovations (Randolph): Appointments can be made by calling 339-987-1956 Monday through Friday between 10 AM and 5 PM
  8. Baystate Medical Center Brightwood Health Center (Springfield): Appointments can be made by calling 413-794-4458 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM
  9. Tapestry Health (Springfield): Appointments can be made by calling 413-586-2016, extension 121, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM
  10. AIDS Project Worcester and University of Massachusetts Medical Center (Worcester): Appointments can be made by calling 508-755-3773, extension 113, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM
  11. Seven Hills Behavioral Health (New Bedford): Appointments can be made by calling 774-634-3725 Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM
  12. Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge/Somerville): Appointments can be made by calling 781-338-0104, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM
  13. East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (Boston): Appointments can be made by calling 617-568-4500, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM

  14. Codman Square Community Health Center (Dorchester): Please register for an appointment directly at https://www.codman.org/medical-service/x-clinic/. Appointments can also be made by calling 617-825-9660 Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 8:30 PM. This site also offers vaccine appointments on Saturday between 9 AM and 3 PM

To learn more about monkeypox please visit the CDC monkeypox website.