Monkeypox confirmed in Buncombe County, says health department; free vaccines offered

Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen Times
·3 min read
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What monkeypox rashes can look like.
What monkeypox rashes can look like.

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe Health and Human Services has confirmed the county's first case of the monkeypox virus.

In a July 21 news release, the health department said the infected patient is "in isolation" and it is contact tracing "to identify and notify individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case."

There are currently 21 monkeypox cases in counties throughout North Carolina as of July 20, according to the release. There were 2,323 in the U.S. that same day, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first case in the state was reported in Haywood County June 24.

Where can Iget a monkeypox vaccine?

Free monkeypox vaccines are available at the county health department, which is the vaccine hub for the region and has offices at 40 Coxe Ave., downtown.

Individuals also can receive the vaccine at Western North Carolina Community Health Services, which has offices at Minnie Jones Health Center, 257 Biltmore Ave.

Anyone can reach BCHHS staff at 828-250-5300 if they have questions about possible exposure or need to be vaccinated for monkeypox.

WNCCHS is at 828-285-0622.

“Monkeypox cases continue to rise across the country. While this is the first case in Buncombe County, with increasing national and statewide trends, it is likely there are more exposures and potential cases yet to be identified,” Public Health Director Stacie Saunders said. “It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox and to seek out testing if you have any symptoms.”

Symptoms of monkeypox

Monkeypox often begins with fever, exhaustion, headache and sometimes sore throat and cough, the release stated.

Lymph nodes may swell in the neck, armpits, or groin, on one or both sides of the body. Shortly after a rash may appear. In some of the recent cases, the first symptom was a rash. This may also look like blisters, sores, bumps or pimples.

It's transferred person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact.

Such contact often occurs during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.

Anyone can get monkeypox but in the current outbreak, many of the cases are in individuals who have multiple or anonymous sex partners, the release stated.

For those concerned about exposure to monkeypox or infection, here's what BCHHS is recommending:

  • Get checked. If you’ve had close contact — including sex — with someone with monkeypox, see a health care provider. If you have bumps, sores or a rash that looks like blisters or pimples, see a health care provider. Call your local health department or BCHHS if you don’t have a provider.

  • Get tested. Testing is widely available and encouraged if you have symptoms of monkeypox. Samples must be collected by a health care professional, and they must follow a specific procedure to collect a good sample for testing. BCHHS recommends providers test any patient with a suspicious lesion or sore.

  • Get protected. Most people with monkeypox infection get better on their own. Treatment is available and may be recommended for people with a high risk of severe illness. Vaccines are available for those exposed to monkeypox. Gay or bisexual men or transgender individuals who had multiple sex partners or anonymous sex in the last 14 days are also eligible for a vaccine. Vaccines must be given within 14 days of exposure.

Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter, 828-226-6203 or arjones@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Monkeypox reported in Buncombe County, free vaccines available