Monkeypox
VDH and The Piedmont Health District are continuing to monitor the ongoing public health emergency in the US and Virginia. To protect patient confidentiality, VDH is providing cases by region, not by health district, until five or more cases are identified in each district. The VDH monkeypox page is updated everyday by 10am.
Monkeypox is a rare contagious rash illness caused by the monkeypox virus. Most people have mild illness and recover without treatment. Anyone can get monkeypox. In this outbreak, most people have become infected when they come into close contact with an infected person. Spread can occur from touching skin lesions, bodily fluids, or clothing or linens that have been in contact with an infected person. The most common symptoms are rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle and back aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
If you have symptoms, you should separate yourself from other people and pets, cover your lesions, and contact your healthcare provider.
Monkeypox CAN spread by:
- Sexual or intimate contact (including vaginal, oral and anal sex)
- Hugging, kissing, cuddling or massage
- Sharing a bed, towel or clothes that have not been washed
It can NOT spread by:
- Walking by someone who is infected
- Casual conversation with someone who is infected
VDH is working to provide vaccine access to Virginians who have been exposed or are at high risk of being exposed to monkeypox. The Piedmont Health District is prepared to vaccinate high-risk individuals.
For Those with Known Exposure
In Virginia, a two-dose series of a monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS) is recommended and available for individuals who
- Have been exposed to a person diagnosed with monkeypox during their infection.
- Know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with monkeypox.
For Those at High Risk of Exposure
In Virginia, a two-dose series of a monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS) is recommended and available for individuals who identify with any of the following groups in the last 14 days:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple or anonymous sexual partners; OR
- Transgender women and non-binary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men and have had multiple or anonymous sexual partners; OR
- Sex workers (of any sexual orientation or gender); OR
- Staff (of any sexual orientation or gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (such as bathhouses, sex clubs); OR
- Persons (of any sexual orientation or gender) who attend sex-on-premises venues (such as bathhouses, sex clubs)
Anyone with questions about vaccine eligibility should call their LHD nurse.
For updates on monkeypox, visit the VDH page found here or the CDC page found here.