The Mecklenburg County Health Department is seeing increased spread of the monkeypox virus. We are now experiencing local community spread, as well as spread in pediatric populations. According to the Mecklenburg County Health Department, here’s what you need to know:

• Risk to the general public is low. The monkeypox virus is spread through close, often skin-to-skin, contact with an infected person.
• Most people will recover from monkeypox on their own, although it could be more severe.  There is no approved treatment for monkeypox, but antiviral medications are being given in severe cases.
• If you think you may have been exposed to a person with monkeypox, contact a health care provider as soon as possible. You may be eligible for the vaccine.
• If you think you might have monkeypox and have the symptoms listed below WITHOUT a new, unexplained skin rash, isolate for 72 hours. If a rash develops, get tested. If your test is negative, you may get vaccinated.
• If you think you might have monkeypox and have the symptoms listed below WITH a new, unexplained skin rash, avoid close contact with other people and contact a health care provider immediately to be tested. If your test is negative, you may get vaccinated.

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes (tender lumps near the neck, jaw, armpits, and groin)
• Chills
• Exhaustion

Protect Yourself:
The virus can enter the body by skin-to-skin contact or through saliva and respiratory droplets:

• Avoid skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact, including sexual contact, with anyone who has symptoms.
• Avoid contact with any materials that have been in contact with a sick person.
• If you have contact with a person who could be sick, wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

If you are in a high risk group please contact Mecklenburg County Health Department to check vaccine availability (preventative vaccination is free of charge).