Monkeypox Resource Center

It is a viral “zoonotic” disease (one that can spread from animals to humans and between people). According to the CDC, 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 during intimate physical contact.
• 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’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

Symptoms typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. The rash is a prominent feature and usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off. The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand.

The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. They can also be found on the mouth, genitals and eyes. In the current epidemic, some patients have had a rash present only in the genital area. According to the CDC, the rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to
four weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

If you think you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone with monkeypox, contact your health care provider for advice, testing and medical care. If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others. Wash hands regularly and take the steps listed below to protect others from infection.

According to WHO, anyone who has close physical contact with someone who has symptoms of monkeypox, or with an infected animal are at risk of infection. People who were vaccinated against smallpox are likely to have some protection against monkeypox infection. However, younger people are unlikely to have been vaccinated against smallpox because smallpox vaccination stopped worldwide after smallpox became the first human disease to be eradicated in 1980. Even though people who have been vaccinated against smallpox may have some protection against monkeypox, they still need to take precautions to protect themselves and others.

Health care workers are also at higher risk due to potential longer virus exposure when dealing with infected patients. Monkeypox should be suspected in people with fever, unexplained rash and:

1. Travel in the last 30 days to a country that has recently had confirmed or suspected case of monkeypox, or
2. Contact with a person with confirmed or suspected monkeypox, or
3. Intimate sexual contact

According to the CDC, there are a number of measures that can be taken to prevent infection with the monkeypox virus:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

According to the CDC, two vaccines licensed by the FDA are available for preventing monkeypox infection – JYNNEOS and ACAM2000.

In the U.S., there is a very limited supply of JYNNEOS, although more is expected in coming weeks and months.

There is an ample supply of ACAM2000. However, the CDC warns that this vaccine should not be used in people who have some health conditions, including a weakened immune system, skin conditions like atopic dermatitis/ eczema or pregnancy.

No data are available yet on the effectiveness of these vaccines in the current outbreak.

People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after their second shot of JYNNEOS and four weeks after receiving ACAM2000. WHO is working with the manufacturer to improve access.

Monkeypox symptoms often resolve on their own without the need for treatment. Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox virus infections. However, according to the CDC, antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may prove beneficial. Early vaccination of symptomatic individuals may also help prevent severe monkeypox disease, unlike with COVID where the vaccine needs to be given well before the infection.

No. Mass vaccines are not necessary. The vaccine is extremely limited. The CDC and local health departments control who gets the vaccines based off contact tracing and risk level.

The Houston Health Department is allowing two groups of high-risk people to get the monkeypox vaccine.