INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Public Health Department is reporting two probable cases of monkeypox, the first cases reported in Marion County. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, and the risk of transmission in the general U.S. population is low. The virus does not spread easily between people without close contact.
“Even though the risk of transmission is very low here, we all need to be aware of the facts about this virus, including risk factors and how it’s spread,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director and chief medical officer of the Marion County Public Health Department. “We are still learning more about monkeypox and encourage anyone with concerns about their health to contact a primary care physician or healthcare provider.”
Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash, which may look like pimples or blisters, and can spread through person-to-person contact in several different ways, such as:
• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores, or scabs from a person with monkeypox. This is believed to be the most common way that virus is spreading in the U.S.
• Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.
During pregnancy, the virus can spread to a fetus through the placenta.
Antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. Isolation of monkey pox cases is necessary during their infectious period. In some cases, quarantine of close contacts is necessary.
While many of those affected in the current global outbreaks are men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox.
For more facts and information, please visit CDC.gov/monkeypox.