Monkeypox vaccine available at Marquette County Health Department

MARQUETTE COUNTY, Mich. (WLUC) - Currently, there are no known monkeypox cases in the U.P. or Marquette County.

The total confirmed US cases are less than 8,000. Monkeypox is reported in 13 Michigan counties totaling less than 80 cases. Marquette County Health Department wants to inform Marquette citizens and visitors more about monkeypox and that testing, treatment and vaccines are locally available.

Most monkeypox infections are currently from gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men or their contacts, including household members (including children). The median age of patients is 35 years (ranging from 18 to 76). Ninety-nine percent were assigned male sex at birth and had reported male-to male sexual contact or intimate exposure. However, it is anticipated that this may change with the continual spread of this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the symptoms of monkeypox can include:

All patients have a rash that looks like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion

Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person to person through:

Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta

It is also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal, by preparing or eating meat, or by using products from an infected animal.

Monkeypox can spread from when symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

The health department encourages those at risk and those with symptoms compatible with monkeypox, to get in touch with a health care provider as soon as possible, get tested, and practice precautions.

According to the CDC, patients who should be considered for treatment:

People with severe diseases requiring hospitalization
People who are immunocompromised
Pediatric populations, particularly patients younger than eight years of age
People with a history or presence of atopic (allergic dermatitis and other illness)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Lesions in the eyes, mouth, genitals, or anus

Secondary to the limited supply, the monkeypox vaccine is currently limited to post-exposure prophylaxis. The CDC recommends that the vaccine be given within four days from exposure for the best chance of preventing the onset of the disease. If delivered between 4 and 14 days from exposure, vaccination may reduce the symptoms of the disease but may not prevent the disease.

The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox, including:

People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
People who know one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
People who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known monkeypox

As vaccine supply increases, guidance will change. Currently, the vaccine is only available through local health departments. If you think you meet the vaccination criteria, please get in touch with your health care provider or contact Marquette County Health Department at 906-475-9977.

The following websites have more detailed information: