The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has provided the public with tips on how to prevent the spread of infection of the monkeypox virus.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. According to the CDC, monkeypox is rarely fatal.
Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is spread from person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex according to a press release from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Natasha Young, the Public Information Officer for District Public Health said that the most common symptoms include a rash that will initially look like pimples or blisters that will scab up before healing.
The rash may be painful or itchy. Other symptoms such as fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches may also occur.
“You're gonna want to avoid close skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash that looks like monkeypox,” Young said.
More than 90% of the people with monkeypox in the current outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox. While many of those affected in the current global outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness.
The risk of contracting monkeypox is based on exposure – an individual must be exposed to enough virus to become infected, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. What is currently known about monkeypox transmission indicates that sharing bedding or towels with someone who is infected with monkeypox would carry more risk than passing encounters with money or a door handle or other environmental surfaces.
Most non-healthcare settings where people congregate such as workplaces, schools, grocery stores, gas stations, or public transportation are not considered high-risk settings for monkeypox transmission.
There are things you can do to protect yourself from getting monkeypox:
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
o Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
o Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
o Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
o 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,
especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
Georgia currently has about 625 confirmed monkeypox cases. Testing and vaccination are available in health districts throughout Georgia, however, vaccine supplies from the federal government remain limited.
Hall County has vaccines available, however, you need to make an appointment with the Hall County Health Department. You can call 770-531-5692 to see if you are eligible for the virus Young said.
“It is something that is being closely monitored to make sure that we have enough vaccine,” Young said.
For more information on monkeypox, visit https://dph.georgia.gov/monkeypox or https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
