ALABAMA, USA —
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently noted that severe manifestations of Monkeypox have been seen in the current outbreak in the United States. Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) continues to provide guidance and resources to educate, test, treat and prevent this illness.
Individuals with any symptoms of Monkeypox should discuss their symptoms with their healthcare provider. There are diagnostic and clinical management strategies that may help address them.
How is Monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is usually transmitted through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact or through broken skin, respiratory droplets or mucous membranes.
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms begin until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take two to four weeks.
Direct contact persons of individuals with the illness may benefit from vaccine given within 4 to 14 days of contact.
What would an outbreak look like?
Monkeypox causes a rash that starts as flat spots, which then becomes raised, develops into vesicles, and finally appears pustular.
In this outbreak, some people have only had rash, but other symptoms, such as fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle aches and headaches can occur with the rash.
Persons who are immunocompromised, due to HIV or other conditions, are at greater risk for severe manifestations.
Does every Monkeypox case need treatment?
Not all cases of Monkeypox require treatment, but people with this diagnosis need to isolate and follow infection control measures to reduce transmission of the virus to other people.
Where can I be tested in Alabama?
Monkeypox testing continues to be offered at county health departments, and clinical testing is available through the ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories at no charge to the patient. Some commercial and clinical laboratories also test for Monkeypox.
What vaccine is available?
ADPH promotes the use of Jynneos vaccine. Selected county health departments in Alabama have Jynneos vaccine in stock, but all local county health departments can provide information about appointments and administer vaccine if persons cannot travel to selected counties.
A two-dose vaccination series is available to persons at higher risk.
To see who can see get the vaccine, click here.
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