Monkeypox

MPOX

en espanol

MPOX (Formerly known as Monkeypox) is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. MPOX virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus. MPOX is not related to chickenpox.

If an Orange County community member has been in contact with a confirmed case of MPOX or are experiencing symptoms, they should contact their primary care provider or the local health department. OCHD may be reached at (919) 245-2478.

Anyone can be infected by MPOX regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or any other identity.
FLYER/ VOLANTE: English, Spanish, Chinese, Burmese, Karen
NCDHHS WEBSITE: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/monkeypox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

mpox

PRESENTATION (PDF): English
PRESS RELEASE (PDF): First Case of Monkeypox in Orange County, North Carolina, August 17, 2022: English, Spanish, Chinese


HOW MPOX SPREADS
The virus is not a sexually transmitted infection. It's mostly caught through close physical skin-to-skin contact, which is why it can be spread to sexual partners.

MPOX spreads by:

  • large respiratory droplets via prolonged face-to-face contact
  • contact with bodily fluids
  • contact with contaminated objects or surfaces (like clothing and bedding)


SYMPTOMS
MPOX symptoms are usually mild, and many patients may not feel sick at all. The incubation period for monkeypox ranges from 7 to 17 days. Symptoms to look out for include:

  • Rash with fluid-filled bumps (esp. on the face, palms, arms, legs, genitals, or perianal region)
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Exhaustion

You are infectious from initial symptoms until all the bumps crust and fall off, which may take 2-4 weeks.

TREATMENT & CARE

  • If you have flu-like symptoms and an unexplained rash, you should contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
  • If you only have flu-like symptoms (with no rash), please get tested for COVID-19. 

The CDC recommends the following practices to protect yourself from monkeypox:

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

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE MPOX VACCINE

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) determines the eligibility criteria for the MPOX vaccine. A person is eligible if they self-identify as:

  1. Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox; or
  2. Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who are sexually active; or 
  3. People who have had sexual contact with gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals in the past 90 days; or
  4. People living with HIV, or taking medication to prevent HIV (PrEP), or who were diagnosed with syphilis in the past 90 days.

LEARN MORE: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

US CASE COUNT MAP: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html