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The first presumed case of monkeypox in the Central Virginia region has been reported by the Virginia Department of Health, bringing the total number of cases in Virginia to 40.
Multiple countries, including the United States, are currently experiencing a monkeypox outbreak. Although anyone of any gender or sexuality can be infected with monkeypox, most cases have occurred in persons who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men, according to the VDH. Three deaths have been reported globally in this outbreak thus far, but none in the U.S or Virginia.
As of July 13, CDC had reported 11,068 cases of monkeypox identified in 65 countries; 1,053 cases were reported in the United States.
The new case in the Central Virginia region occurred in an adult male resident who recently traveled out of state. The patient is currently isolating. The local health district is identifying close contacts of the case, enrolling them in monitoring, and offering vaccines (if indicated).
Monkeypox is a potentially serious viral illness, characterized by a specific type of rash. Rash lesions can begin on the genitals, perianal region, or oral cavity and might be the first or only sign of illness. Co-infection with sexually transmitted infections have been reported. Some patients also have fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and/or swelling of the lymph nodes before developing a rash.
Symptoms generally appear six to 14 days after exposure and, for most people, clear up on their own without treatment within two to four weeks. Person-to-person spread occurs with close contact or with direct contact with body fluids or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or linens.
Although there is no treatment approved specifically for monkeypox in the U.S., some treatment options may be beneficial, VDH officials have said.
As with many viral illnesses, treatment mainly involves supportive care and relief of symptoms. For patients who have severe illness or are at high risk of developing severe illness, treatments can be accessed through the federal government with VDH coordination. Two vaccines also are available through the federal government as postexposure prophylaxis for people who had close contact with a person with monkeypox and are at highest risk of exposure.
If you have symptoms consistent with monkeypox, VDH officials urge you to seek medical care from your healthcare provider immediately, especially if you are in one of the following groups:
• Those who have had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with monkeypox;
• Those who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men;
• Those who traveled to places or attended events where monkeypox cases have been confirmed in the month before symptoms appeared;
• Those who have had contact with household items, such as towels, bedding or clothing, used by a person with suspected or known orthopox or monkeypox virus infection;
• Those who have had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet from Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.).
If you need to seek care, call your healthcare provider first, and let them know you are concerned about possible monkeypox infection so they can take precautions to ensure that others are not exposed.
The federal government is expanding monkeypox vaccination access for individuals at risk and working to make testing more convenient for healthcare providers and patients across the country.
For details, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/monkeypox/.
