PA Health Department advise residents to be cautious about monkeypox despite low numbers

On Thursday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared monkeypox a national public health emergency.

“We are prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus. We urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” he said.

This declaration comes as the United States currently has the most active cases of monkeypox in the world, with 7,102 as of Aug. 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

More: CDC monkeypox US Map

More: US now has the world’s biggest monkeypox outbreak

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on July 23.

Mark O’Neill, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, said the department has identified 211 cases in Pennsylvania, including 40 in the southwest region of the state.

"In order to protect patient confidentiality, the department does not provide case counts at the county level, nor does it confirm individual cases," he said.

More: Monkeypox is spreading through sex, but it's not an STI. Why calling it one is a problem.

O'Neill added, "While everyone should be aware of the presence of monkeypox in the United States, the general population is considered to be at low risk of contracting monkeypox, as monkeypox does not spread easily between people."

According to the CDC, the monkeypox virus, which is in the same family of viruses as smallpox, is generally caused by close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.

The most common symptom of monkeypox is a rash that is located on or near the genitals or anus, but could also be on hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.

The CDC said the rash goes through several stages, including scabs, before healing, can look like pimples or blisters, and can be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches or backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and respiratory ailments like sore throat, nasal congestion and cough.

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The CDC said symptoms tend to start three weeks after exposure, and if someone has flu-like symptoms, they will develop a rash 1-4 days later.

The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks, and can spread until the rash is healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin is formed.

The virus spreads through direct contact, often through intimate contact, by touching objects, fabrics and surfaces a person with monkeypox has used, and contact with respiratory secretions.

The CDC said to avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox, avoid contact with objects and materials a person with monkeypox has used, wash hands often with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

More: CDC guidance for sexual activity for monkeypox

O'Neill said the monkeypox virus is not new, having been first identified in humans in the United States in 2003.

"The department has been actively engaged with health care providers across the Commonwealth since the appearance of monkeypox in the United States a few months ago," he said. "People with monkeypox, in the current outbreak, generally report having close and sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox.

"When public health practitioners learn of cases, they typically interview individuals and identify contacts of these individuals who are at greatest risk of developing the disease," O'Neill said. "These contacts are advised to monitor their health, seek testing if they develop symptoms consistent with monkeypox, and seek out a vaccine, if appropriate."

He said if one believes they have contracted monkeypox, to contact their healthcare provider, or contact one of the providers provided at the link: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Programs/STD%20PROVIDERS.pdf

They can also call 877-PA-HEALTH to access their risk of getting the disease and to talk about a vaccine.

More: Monkeypox state cases: New York, California top numbers as Biden admin declares emergency

Nicholas Vercilla is a staff reporter for the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at nvercilla@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania Health Department advises calm and caution regarding monkeypox