Learn more about DHSS' monkeypox response
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Monkeypox Outbreak 2022 | |
Cases |
Positive 11 |
Total 11 |
|
County |
New Castle 6 |
Kent 1 |
|
Sussex 4 |
|
Missing 0 |
|
Total 11 |
|
Age Group |
0-17 0 |
18-34 6 |
|
35-49 4 |
|
50-64 1 |
|
65 + 0 |
|
Total 11 |
|
Sex Assigned at Birth |
Male 11 |
Female 0 |
|
Missing 0 |
|
Total 11 |
Monkeypox Vaccine Information | |
Persons having received at least one dose of the vaccine | 94 |
Vaccine vials received by Delaware Public Health | 1008 |
Monkeypox is a viral disease that can be spread between people and certain animals.The monkeypox virus is a part of the same family of viruses as the virus that causes smallpox.
The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.
In humans, the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The main difference between symptoms of smallpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is usually seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days.
The illness begins with:
Within one to three days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body. Lesions progress through the following stages before falling off:
Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
There are number of measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus:
The CDC recommends vaccination for people exposed to monkeypox and for those at higher risk of exposure, including:
It is important to understand that while there may be many persons in DE who want a monkeypox vaccine, not everyone in the population needs a monkeypox vaccine. This is very different from COVID. Spread is primarily through direct contact with an infected person and not airborne transmission. Vaccines are not recommended for children. There are things that people in the general public, as well as the LGTBQ+ community can do to protect themselves regardless of their ability to access vaccine such as limiting direct contact with anyone with a concerning rash, limiting the number of intimate partners, talking openly with intimate contacts about recent behaviors, and not sharing bedding, towels and eating or drinking utensils with anyone who does.
There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. Antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. Not everyone with Monkeypox will need antivirals. Many have symptoms that will resolve without additional treatment.
If you have symptoms of monkeypox, talk to your health care provider.
If you have symptoms of monkeypox, or are concerned you may have been exposed, contact your health care provider to discuss testing. Don't have a health care provider? Contact MPX hotline at xxx to discuss scheduling a testing appointment at a public health clinic
If a provider is unable to collect specimen or if a person is under/uninsured or does not have access to a health care provider, DPH/OIDE will coordinate specimen collection with one of the Delaware Public Health Clinics, Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL), and the CDC, if a patient meets the criteria for a suspected case
Antivirals should be considered for patients who may be at high risk of severe disease (refer to Interim Clinical Guidance for the Treatment of Monkeypox
Refer to the CDC’s Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination for the recommended use of vaccine in the U.S. The current vaccine supply in Delaware will be prioritized for post-exposure prophylaxis only. As more doses are available, other strategies, such as Pre-exposure prophylaxis of high-risk groups will be considered.
All requests for vaccines and antivirals should be sent to DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) at 302-744-4990 (business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (24/7). OIDE business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.