The Los Angeles Post

State Public Health Officials Provide Monkeypox Update

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SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provided a weekly update on the state’s monkeypox outbreak and response.

Cases

  • California has reported 2,356 probable and confirmed monkeypox cases.
  • Cases have been reported in 33 local health jurisdictions.
  • Complete case data is available on the state’s monkeypox data dashboard.

 

Hospitalizations

  • There have been 57 hospitalizations in California due to the monkeypox virus and no reported deaths.

 

Vaccines

  • To date, California has received 109,471 vials of monkeypox vaccine, including 43,282 delivered directly to Los Angeles County from the federal government.
  • CDPH has distributed 65,130 vials to other local public health departments.
  • Complete allocation and distribution data is available on the monkeypox vaccine page.

 

Treatment

  • To date, the state has distributed 2,841 oral treatment courses and 331 IV treatment doses of Tecovirimat (TPOXX).

 

Know the Signs

People with monkeypox may first develop flu-like illness with fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and enlarged lymph nodes. A characteristic rash, which can appear like blisters or pimples in certain parts of the body, may occur a few days later. These blisters or pimples may be very painful. Monkeypox may require hospitalization in rare instances. In some cases, no flu-like symptoms appear, and individuals only develop a rash. People with the virus may experience all or only a few of these symptoms. The illness may last for up to 2 to 4 weeks and usually resolves without specific treatment.

Slow & Prevent Spread

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox virus:

  • Avoid any physical contact like hugging, kissing, or sexual intimacy with people who have symptoms of monkeypox, including a rash or sores.
  • Talk to sexual partner/s about any recent illness. Be aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or a partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
  • Do not handle or touch bedding, towels, clothing, or other fabrics that have been in contact with someone with monkeypox.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Read the CDC’s latest information on safer sex, social gatherings and monkeypox.

 

If you have symptoms:

  • Reach out to a health care provider to get checked out. If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
  • Take a break from sexual and intimate contact as well as attending public gatherings.
  • Isolate from others you live with.
  • Wear a mask and cover rashes if needing to be around others and when visiting a health care provider.

 

Health care providers should use standard and recommended isolation precautions when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox infection.

Additional Resources

CDPH provides multiple resources, including a Q&A, and communications toolkit with fact sheets, videos and social media assets for the public, community organizations, health care providers, and media outlets