{"id":1712,"date":"2022-08-29T14:37:32","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T18:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/alleghany\/?page_id=1712"},"modified":"2022-11-29T09:33:54","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T14:33:54","slug":"mpox","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/alleghany\/clinic-services\/mpox\/","title":{"rendered":"Questions about Mpox"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Questions about Mpox?
\n(formerly known as 'Monkeypox')<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts are responding to an outbreak of mpox that has spread across several countries that don\u2019t normally report mpox, including the United States. For information on mpox in Virginia, please visit the VDH mpox website<\/a>. If you are a healthcare provider, please visit the mpox website for healthcare providers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts are working to ensure that residents who have been exposed or are at high risk of being exposed<\/a> to mpox receive a vaccination.\u00a0In Virginia, a two-dose series of a mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS) is recommended for individuals who identify with any of the following groups:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>All people, of any sexual orientation or gender, who have had either anonymous or multiple (more than one) sexual partners in the last 2 weeks; or<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Sex workers (of any sexual orientation or gender); or<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Staff (of any sexual orientation or gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (such as bathhouses, sex clubs)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Person of any sexual orientation or gender who has attended a sex-on-premises venue in the last 14 days<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Close contact with anyone suspect or confirmed to have mpox in the last 14 days<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>People of any sexual orientation of gender who:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Are living with HIV\/AIDS<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022 <\/span>Has been diagnosed with any sexually transmitted infection in the past three months<\/span><\/p>\n

Qualifying individuals interested in receiving a mpox vaccination\u00a0may call us at 540-283-5050.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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What is mpox?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus, an orthopox virus which belongs to the same group of viruses as smallpox. The virus <\/span>causes a distinctive rash<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A mpox rash may initially appear similar to pimples, blisters, or raised bumps that appear on the face, hands or other parts of the body, and may be accompanied by fever and chills. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks, is usually self-limited, and is rarely fatal. If you are concerned that you have a rash that may be mpox, please contact your healthcare professional. Close contacts to someone who has been diagnosed with the virus should contact their local health department, even if they don\u2019t have symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\tVDH Information about harm reduction, state wide info, pets, ect\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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How is mpox spread?
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mpox is spread through:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022<\/span> direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022<\/span> respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u2022<\/span> touching items (such as clothing or linens) previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone can get mpox, although the majority of individuals recently diagnosed with mpox self-identify as being men who have sex with other men. The virus does not spread exclusively through any one gender, sexual, or social network<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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What is being done in Virginia?
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating every suspected case; facilitating laboratory testing at the Virginia state laboratory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and assisting with access to treatment for those identified with the disease. VDH also is conducting contact tracing and monitoring contacts for 21 days after exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Am I eligible to receive a vaccine?
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At present, the mpox vaccine is only recommended for adults at high risk of exposure. Individuals eligible for vaccine must meet at least one of the following high-risk criteria:<\/p>\n