The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Chesterfield Health District are responding to an outbreak of monkeypox that has spread across several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. For information on monkeypox in Virginia, please visit the VDH monkeypox website. If you are a healthcare provider, please visit the monkeypox website for healthcare providers.
The Chesterfield Health District is working to ensure that residents who have been exposed or are at high risk of being exposed to monkeypox receive a vaccination. If you are interested in receiving a monkeypox vaccination, please complete our interest form link or call us at (804)-748-1691.
Vaccination
At this time, widespread vaccination against Monkeypox is not recommended or necessary for most people. However, Chesterfield Health District has developed an interest form for the Monkeypox vaccine. Vaccine supply is currently limited and vaccination is not guaranteed by completing the form. This list will be used to administer vaccines in the future, depending on risk factors and the available supply.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare contagious rash illness caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus is in the same family of viruses as the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox causes milder illness than smallpox, but some symptoms can be severe. The monkeypox virus can spread from animals to people and from person to person.
Who is at Risk?
The general public is at a low risk. However, like any illness, anyone is able to contract the Monkeypox virus.
How is it Spread?
Monkeypox can be spread through close contact with an infected person. Close contact includes touching skin lesions, bodily fluids, or clothing or linen that have been used by an infected person, prolonged face-to-face contact with an infected person.
The Monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact, which includes sexual activty, with someone who has Monkeypox.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. The illness caused by Monkeypox typically lasts for 2-4 weeks.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Headache
- Muscle aches or back aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
The rash can be located anywhere on the body, including the face, around or inside the mouth, hands and feet, torso, genitals and perianal area. For some people, the rash may be their only symptom. The rash can look like blisters or pimples and lesions typically go through different stages before healing.
What to do if You Think You Have it
- Separate yourself from other people and pets
- Cover any rashes, scabs, lesions, or blisters
- Contact your healthcare provider. If going to a healthcare facility (i.e. primary or urgent care facilities), call ahead and let them know you are concerned about Monkeypox.
More Information
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/monkeypox/
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/13/2022/07/Monkeypox-factsheet-pets.pdf
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/13/2022/07/Monkeypox-factsheet-animals.pdf