Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox can make you sick including a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness. Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms
Early flu-like symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion
Rash appears within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after fever, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body
Illness usually lasts 2−4 weeks
Transmission
Monkeypox can spread through:
Direct contact with monkeypox rash, sores or scabs
Contact with objects, clothing, bedding, towels, or surfaces used by someone with monkeypox
Respiratory droplets or oral fluids from a person with monkeypox
Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until all sores have healed, which can take several weeks
Recent Clusters of Monkeypox
Cases of monkeypox have been recently reported in several countries that don’t normally have monkeypox activity, including the United States
Diagnosis & Treatment
Healthcare providers should be alert for patients with rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, particularly those with travel history or other risk factors
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, although antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may be beneficial
Recommendations for the Public
Risk to the general public is low
Seek medical care immediately if you are concerned you have monkeypox
Avoid close contact with sick people, including people with skin lesions or genital lesions
For More Information
Contact your healthcare provider with medical questions
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
Vaccination is done by appointment only.
Information on vaccine appointments through the expanded PEP program is available through these community partners:
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Location: Annex 2 (white tent structure), 230 East Ridgewood Ave, Paramus Website: www.newbridgehealth.org
Cooper Vaccine Clinic, Cooper University Hospital Location: 300 Broadway, Camden Phone: 856-968-7100 Website: https://my.cooperhealth.org/mychart/authentication/login
Eric B. Chandler Health Center
Location: 277 George St, New Brunswick
Phone: 732-235-6733
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation/Project Living Out Loud!
Location: Jersey City Phone: 201-706-3480
North Hudson Community Action Corporation
Locations: HCCC, 4800 Kennedy Blvd, Union City and HCCC, 70 Sip St, Jersey City Website: https://nhcac.org/northhudsonmonkeypox
North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)
Location: Newark Phone: 973-483-3444 ext. 200
Passaic County Health Department
Location: 930 Riverview, Rear, Suite 250, Totowa Phone: 973-881-4396
The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey
Location: Asbury Park Website: www.prnvnacj.org/
University Hospital
Location: 140 Bergen St., Level D, Room 1650, Newark Phone: 973-972-8906 (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Zufall Health Center
Location: 18 West Blackwell St, Dover Phone: 973-891-3419
Below is a downloadable version of all the information in this blog in English and Spanish.
**Risk in children is relatively low. If the child is sick, the child should stay home. Further guidance will be directed by the Department of Health**
**The information in this blog is attributed to the New Jersey Department of Health and Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control**