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Writer's pictureGreater Bergen Community Action

Monkeypox Key Facts



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



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

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

North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)

Location: Newark Phone: 973-483-3444 ext. 200

Passaic County Health Department

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


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**

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