Monkeypox reaches Augusta. Here's what to know about the virus, local vaccines

Augusta hospitals have confirmed they are treating two cases of monkeypox. But even before the area had any reported cases, Walter Santiago, a marketing project manager and activist, said he, "was freaking out a little bit" as the monkeypox outbreak spread.

Georgia has the fifth highest number of monkeypox cases in the U.S., according to the CDC with over 1,000 cases statewide.. Augusta's first case was confirmed Monday, Aug. 15.

The state's cases have increased ten-fold in the past month. On July 15, Georgia Department of Public Health had confirmed only 93 cases.

Santiago said he felt, "there's not enough awareness." So he set up a panel discussion on Monday, Aug. 15. He wanted to learn more about the virus and share what can be done to prevent it, including where vaccinations are available.  Santiago sat down with Søren Estvold, a family physician at Augusta University's Equality Clinic, Augusta Pride president Michael Barnard and public health physician Krystn Wagner with the East Central Regional Public Health District.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

Estvold said patients generally experience flu like symptoms (fever, chills, exhaustion, etc.) and body aches. Rashes and lesions may form, and if they do, they can last two-to-four weeks.

Wagner said for many patients, the most difficult part about this virus is how "excruciatingly painful" the lesions can be.

According to the CDC, there have been 12 deaths from monkeypox worldwide as of Aug. 16, none of which are in the U.S. The disease is rarely deadly.

Immunocompromised individuals who become infected may have more severe symptoms, including a rash that spreads across the body that could be confused with shingles, according to the CDC.

How many cases are in the Augusta area?

Augusta has two confirmed cases of monkeypox infections.

Augusta University Health System vice president and chief medical officer Philip Coule said on Tuesday, Aug. 16, they had confirmed one local case of the virus.

Piedmont Augusta spokesperson Rebecca Sylvester reported they have also diagnosed one patient.

Doctors Hospital and MedNow Urgent Care have reported no cases. Aiken Regional Medical Centers could not be reached for comment as of Aug. 16.

Early detection and contact tracing may be difficult in future cases. Coule said the virus has a 15-day incubation period and, while lab testing is available at plenty of hospitals and clinics, they involve swabbing the lesions, meaning there is currently no way to definitively diagnose a case of monkeypox before the lesions form.

Who can get infected with monkeypox?

Children, pets and all adults can catch the disease. Monkeypox is spread through skin-to-skin contact, especially through close physical acts like kissing, hugging and sex. The chance of infection boosts after lesions form.

While some have called this a sexually transmitted disease, Wagner said that's not the only way if can spread. According to the CDC's website, any skin-to-skin contact with an infectious rash or body fluids creates an opportunity for the virus to spread. "It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact," according to the CDC.

This is a particularly important distinction since children have been seen with the virus. One case in France appeared in a pet, too.

Currently, the virus has been predominantly diagnosed among men who have sex with men. However, monkeypox is not exclusive to those individuals, and LGBTQ leaders such as Barnard have been working hard to help those susceptible while also trying to prevent the kind of homophobic stigma that occurred around the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"It's really just making sure that we're being aware of everything available to us out there in the community," Barnard said. "We've been posting a lot on social media ... I got my vaccination. It's super simple."

What vaccinations are available in Augusta?

The Richmond County Health Department at 950 Laney Walker Boulevard in Augusta has a supply of Jynneos, a two-dose vaccine for smallpox and monkeypox, which are given 28 days apart. Wagner said plenty of doses are available, but because the majority of cases are among men who have sex with men, they are the only group that is being given vaccinations.

The virus' increased transmissibility via sex means sex workers are also very susceptible. Wagner said this would be another group they can potentially allocate more vaccines once they can increase their supply.

The federal government has purchased and already allocated more than 600,000 Jynneos doses. States and localhealth departments can order additional vaccine once they have used 90% of the stock allocated to them. The Department of Health and Human Services has also ordered another 5 million vials of vaccine, which will begin arriving in September and should now provide as many as 25 million shots.

Jynneos is safe for people using antiretroviral therapy, according to the CDC, such as people living with HIV. According to its website, "post-exposure prophylaxis and antiviral treatments are available for people exposed to monkeypox or with monkeypox virus infection."

What preventative measures are available outside of vaccinations?

An infection can take up to three weeks after exposure to appear. That is another reason health educators are emphasizing safer sex. Estvold referred residents to some tips the CDC released on Aug. 5, which include safer sex measures like:

• Limit the number of sexual partners.

• Wear a condom and consider wearing gloves.

• Consider having sex with clothes on or covering areas where a rash is present.

• Make sure any fabrics or toys involved in sex are thoroughly washed.

Could the disease mutate?

Similar to what the public saw with COVID-19, if the outbreak is not contained, it is possible for monkeypox to mutate. Coule said it has already mutated in how it is now sexually transmissible, which contributed to the current outbreak.

Santiago got his first dose of the vaccine, and while he is still concerned, especially now that there are multiple cases in Augusta, he felt more steady going into the inoculation and was glad to have some questions answered.

"Now I have the appropriate information to share, I have secured resourced to share," Santiago said.

Those wanting more information on the monkeypox virus or vaccination can call the department of public health's monkeypox hotline at (706) 721-5800 and choose Option 1.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Monkeypox: two cases in Augusta, what to know about spread, vaccines