Maps and case counts (CDC):
Updated August 12, 2022 at 11:30 p.m. PT
Transmission of MPV requires close contact with a symptomatic person. Brief interactions that do not involve physical contact and healthcare interactions conducted using appropriate protective equipment are not high risk.
The MPV virus can be transmitted from person to person by:
People with a confirmed case of MPV are contagious as soon as they develop symptoms and continue to be contagious until the scabs fall off the rash. A person with MPV should isolate from others until the scabs fall off.
Humans can also get MPV from contact with infected animals.
MPV can cause a range of symptoms including, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash that can appear anywhere on the body. Some people may not have any symptoms before the start of the rash In the current outbreak, many infected people have lesions on the genitals or in the anal area. Some people have initially had pain in the anal region, with or without other symptoms such as fever and headache.
Usually the rash will turn into raised bumps, which then fill with fluid. The rash eventually scabs over, and the scabs fall off. Typically, the rash is mostly on the face, arms, legs, and hands. However, if a person was infected during sexual contact, the rash might only be on the genitals or anal region.
The incubation period (time from exposure to the start of symptoms) for MPV is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days.
Most people recover in 2-4 weeks although the lesions can leave scars. The disease can be serious, especially for immunocompromised people, children, and pregnant people.
People with symptoms of MPV should contact their primary health care provider or clinic. Before the visit, they should tell the provider or clinic that they are concerned about MPV, and tell them whether they recently had close contact with a person who had a similar rash or who was diagnosed with MPV. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
Anyone can get MPV, but some people are at a higher risk. MPV is primarily spread through close (skin to skin) contact. It also can be spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, but does not spread through the air over longer distances. Brief interactions that do not involve physical contact and health care interactions conducted using appropriate protective equipment are generally considered low risk.
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk, and risk increases with more sexual partners.
Other risk factors may include travel to areas where MPV is spreading; close, non-sexual contact with someone who is infected; or contact with sick animals. To protect yourself and others from MPV or sexual infectious diseases, DOH recommends :
Controlling the outbreak is possible. MPV is mostly spread through close, skin-to-skin contact, and is less likely to be spread in the air.
Individuals can help control the outbreak by following the prevention guidelines on this webpage, and getting vaccinated if your health care provider indicates it’s recommended for you.
If you have had close contact with a person who has confirmed or probable MPV, getting vaccinated right away may prevent an infection. Close contact can include being together for several hours, hugging, cuddling, kissing, or sharing a bed or clothing.
Contact your health care provider or your local health department for information if you think you’ve been exposed. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
If you have a new or unexplained rash and think you may have had close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who could have MPV in the last 21 days, talk to your medical provider or local clinic to find out if you should be tested or get vaccinated. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
You can spread MPV from the start of symptoms until the rash has fully healed, which can take two to four weeks. To keep from spreading the infection:
If you are infected with MPV and are in severe pain, or you are more likely to become severely ill, you may need antiviral treatment. Have your health care provider call your local health department for information.
If you already have symptoms of MPV, MPV vaccine is not recommended. Ask your provider about anti-viral treatment. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
MPV was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. The first human case was recorded in 1970.
Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people.
We are seeing more cases of MPV now for several reasons.
Mammals can get MPV. Here’s how to prevent spreading the virus to animals.
The MPV virus can be spread from person to person by:
People who do not have MPV symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.
At this time, it is not known if MPV can spread through semen, vaginal fluids, urine, or fecal matter.
People who get MPV are contagious as soon as they develop symptoms and continue to be contagious until the scabs fall off the rash. A person with MPV should isolate from others until the scabs fall off.
Infections of MPV identified in the 2022 outbreak are fortunately rarely fatal.
If you suspect you have MPV, isolate yourself from others in a single-person room if available and immediately talk to your health -care provider. Ask if you need to go to a medical office or the hospital. It is important to call as soon as you think you have symptoms of the disease because antiviral treatments may be available for those at high risk of severe illness. If you have been exposed and do not have symptoms yet, you may be able to be vaccinated. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
People with weakened immune systems, children under 8 years of age, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be more likely to get seriously ill or die.
If you have had smallpox vaccination in the past, you may be at lower risk for MPV. However, it may not be lifelong. During the 2003 MPV outbreak and during the current MPV outbreak, several people who were infected with MPV had previously been vaccinated against smallpox decades prior.
During this MPV outbreak response, vaccines and other medical measures should be given to eligible people who were previously vaccinated against smallpox.
MPV lesions (bumps) are often rubbery, with a dot on top of the lesion. If you have a new or unexplained rash and think you may have had close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who could have MPV in the last 21 days talk to your medical provider to find out if you should be tested. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
If you have symptoms of mpv, or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox in the last 21 days, contact a health care provider to see if you should be tested.
Washington state has no shortage of testing capacity for MPV. The Washington State Public Health Laboratory (PHL) has been able to test every suspect case that medical providers in our state have reported to their local health departments. In addition, commercial labs are now able to test for MPV. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
Yes. Here’s how testing currently works in our state:
There is no shortage of testing supplies in Washington state.
Testing for MPV is done by the Washington State Public Health Laboratories and specific clinical laboratories.
It is likely that some people have had MPV without being counted. Cases may have gone unrecognized in the United States and around the world because of the unusual clinical presentation of this current outbreak, not because of testing shortages in the United States.
Unusual clinical presentation includes different symptoms than medical provider have seen in previous cases, including rashes on different parts of the body and transmission through sexual contact, which was not common before this current outbreak.
For current counts see: 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
Most people recover without treatment. Antiviral medications are available to treat MPV in specific circumstances. If symptoms have not started, post-exposure vaccination may be an option. Post-exposure vaccination can reduce symptoms or prevent symptoms.
Anybody with severe pain, widespread infection, at higher risk of getting severe illness, or infection of the eyes should ask their health care provider about being treated. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
People who are at risk for severe infection, include:
Treatment can start before testing if MPV is highly suspected and there is severe infection or risk for severe infection. The local health jurisdiction may help to locate antiviral medications.
To help stop the spread of MPV virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced plans to distribute a limited amount of a vaccine called JYNNEOS in the US, including to Washington state. Because there is a very limited supply of this vaccine, Washington has received a very small amount of vaccine so far.
Washington State Department of Health is adopting a first-dose prioritization strategy, to ensure vaccine delivery to as many people in high-risk populations as possible. To make sure that vaccines get to people at risk of infection, we’re working with Tribal partners, local health jurisdictions and community partners to reach vulnerable communities and ensure equitable access. This means that vaccine initially has been prioritized for people who have been exposed or who are at high risk for being exposed to MPV.
If you believe you have had recent close contact with someone who was diagnosed with MPV and needs a vaccine, please reach out to your health care provider. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
On August 9th 2022, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization for JYNNEOS vaccine to be given to children under 18 years. JYNNEOS is already authorized in those ages 18 and older.
For people who have had recent contact with someone who tested positive for MPV , the vaccine can reduce the chance of developing a MPV infection. Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
Two currently licensed vaccines, JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) and ACAM2000, are available in the United States to prevent smallpox (which is a type of orthopox virus).
A close contact is a person who:
Washington state has been allotted thousands of courses of the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine.
Health care professionals who do not perform diagnostic testing for MPV are not currently recommended to receive vaccination.
Without additional supplies from CDC or a broader recommendation for the vaccine, Washington state has no plans to hold vaccination clinics.
No. Vaccines work differently depending on the virus they are targeting. The COVID-19 vaccine was developed to help prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19. It does not prevent any other disease, like flu or MPV. Only the licensed MPV and smallpox vaccinations work against MPV infection.
There are no travel restrictions or requirement for the MPV vaccine to travel. However, many countries require other vaccines before you travel, so check with your local health department or your health care provider before traveling internationally to make sure you have all the vaccines you need. If you don't have a provider, find one here.
Call 1-833-829-HELP if you have questions about MPV risk factors, vaccines, testing, or treatment. Language assistance is available in 240 languages. Through an ongoing partnership with Washington 211, this service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday, and 6:00 a.m.to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and observed state holidays. Call takers will not be able to schedule vaccine appointments. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711, then 1-833-829-4357 (HELP).
For people with disabilities, Web documents in other formats are available on request. To submit a request, please contact us at civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.
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