Somerset County keeping an eye on monkeypox outbreak
SOMERVILLE - The Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH) is working with state and federal health officials to respond to the monkeypox outbreak.
The U.S. now has had the most people infected, with more than 3,500 of the world's 17,000 diagnoses. New York City, with more than 1,000 cases, is at the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox as a global health emergency, but said that the current risk of contracting monkeypox in the United States is considered low.
But Somerset County is not taking any chances.
“While the current odds of being infected with monkeypox here in Somerset County is very low, we know that being prepared ahead of time is vital to responding and minimizing risk should it arrive,” said County Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to the SCDOH. “The working relationships we have built with state and federal public health agencies over the past few years as we responded to the COVID outbreak, are vital to being ready to respond to any public health emergency.”
SCDOH is closely tracking the monkeypox outbreak with healthcare providers and local health departments to identify cases and close contacts within the county and administer vaccines to eligible residents.
County residents with known exposure to a person with monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider or their local health department.
Monkeypox virus can spread in different ways but is primarily spread through close contact with someone already infected with monkeypox.
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The disease can also be spread through touching items such as clothing or linens used by someone with monkeypox, and pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
It is also possible to catch the virus through a bite or scratch from an infected animal.
Symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, muscle aches, lymph node swelling, and exhaustion. After a few days with the virus, a rash will often begin on the face and spread to other parts of the body. The time from infection to symptoms (incubation period) for monkeypox is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days. The illness can last for 2-4 weeks. People who may have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for or shows symptoms of monkeypox should monitor their health.
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The New Jersey Department of Health announced the expanded eligibility of the monkeypox vaccine last week for individuals who believe they may have been exposed to someone with monkeypox or who are at high risk of being exposed to monkeypox in the past 14 days.
The vaccine will be made available to these identified groups, through appointments only, at three locations. For more information and eligibility, visit https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/Monkeypox/Vaccine_Information.pdf.
Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox infections. However, antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may prove beneficial. Individuals who were previously vaccinated against smallpox, may have protection against monkeypox.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account toda
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset County keeping an eye on monkeypox outbreak
