State Public Health Officials Provide Monkeypox (MPX) Update

monkeypox virus

Press release from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH):

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

Cases

• California has reported 4,753 probable and confirmed MPX cases.
• Cases have been reported in 44 local health jurisdictions.
• Complete case data is available on the state’s MPX data dashboard.

 

Hospitalizations

• There have been 177 hospitalizations in California due to the MPX virus and one confirmed death.

 

Vaccines

• California has received 165,371 vials of MPX vaccine, including 65,582 delivered directly to Los Angeles County from the federal government.
• CDPH has distributed 143,138 vials to other local public health departments.
• Complete allocation and distribution data is available on the MPX vaccine page.

 

Treatment

• California has distributed 3,943 oral treatment courses of Tecovirimat (TPOXX).

 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES

 

Know the Signs

People with MPX 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. MPX 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 MPX virus:

• Avoid any physical contact like hugging, kissing, or sexual intimacy with people who have symptoms of MPX, 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 MPX.
• Do not handle or touch bedding, towels, clothing, or other fabrics that have been in contact with someone with MPX.
• 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 MPX and CDPH’s Safer Sex & MPX fact sheet.

 

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 MPX 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