Monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

NKY Health is offering vaccines as post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of confirmed monkeypox cases to prevent onset of symptoms and reduce further community transmission.

NKY Health is also vaccinating individuals who are at higher risk of monkeypox exposure.  Individuals who are considered higher risk include:

• Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men or transgender people who are sexually active
• Sex workers
• People who are on PrEP
• People who have been diagnosed with HIV
• People who had a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea and/or syphilis in the past 12 months
• People who attend venues or frequent establishments where sex-on-premises occurs 

Individuals interested in getting a monkeypox vaccine should call (859) 363-2040. Because vaccine supply remains limited, appointments are scheduled based on a screening for risk factors.  Appointment availability and criteria will expand as vaccine supplies increase, which is expected over the coming weeks and months.

Symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• A rash that can look like or become painful, itchy, pimples, blisters, pus-filled sores or lesions that can appear on the face, inside the mouth, on or around the genitals or anus, or other parts of the body

The illness typically lasts 2-4 we​eks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Sometimes people can experience flu-like symptoms before the rash. Others only experience a rash.​​ Though most people do not require hospitalization, serious complications can develop in some people infected with monkeypox.

Infected persons are considered contagious as soon as symptoms begin until the time the sores or lesions have completely healed (scabs are gone and new skin has formed).

Monkeypox spreads through close, intimate contact with a person who has the monkeypox virus. Direct skin-to-skin contact with the rash, pimples, sores, lesions, and unhealed scabs of an infected person has been the primary method of transmitting this virus. The virus may also spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face, intimate contact with an infected person,  possibly by prolonged contact with bedding, sheets, or clothing of a person infected with the Monkeypox virus, and possibly through bodily fluids. It has been shown that pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetuses through the placenta.

Take the following steps to help avoid getting monkeypox:

• Have conversations with partners before close, intimate contact. There is no safe way to have sex with a person infected with monkeypox
•  Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has a rash, scabs or lesions 
• Do not touch the rash, lesions or scabs of a person with monkeypox
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have intimate or sexual contact with someone experiencing  monkeypox
• Do not eat or drink from the same dishes, cups or utensils as someone experiencing  monkeypox
• Do not handle or touch bedding, towels or clothing used or worn by someone with monkeypox
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Contact your local health department or health care provider about options for preventing illness, such as vaccination
• Monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days after your last exposure to the individual. If you begin to experience symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately     
•  Contacts that do not have symptoms can continue routine daily activities (e.g., go to work, school) while performing daily monitoring for symptoms
• Contacts should not donate blood, cells, tissue, breast milk, semen or organs if they have been exposed to monkeypox are monitoring for symptoms

If you have symptoms:

Is there a test for monkeypox?

Yes. Monkeypox is diagnosed using a polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., test on a viral swab taken from one or more of the lesions/blisters.

Who should be tested for monkeypox?

Anyone who thinks they have monkeypox or have had close personal contact with someone who has monkeypox should call a healthcare provider or NKY Health to help them decide if they need to be tested. If it is determined you should be tested, wear a mask to the provider’s office, cover any rash or lesion with clothing and do not use public transportation.

If you are infected with the monkeypox virus:

• Isolate at home
• Stay in a separate room or area away from those you live with, if possible
• Do not have close, intimate or sexual contact with others until all symptoms have been completely resolved and all lesions have scabbed over with new skin formed
• Put your clothes, bedding, towels in the washer/dryer separately from other household laundry 
• Wear disposable gloves while frequently cleaning common touch surfaces with a disinfectant  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (and use an alcohol based hand sanitizer when necessary) 
• If you need to seek medical care, call ahead, wear a mask and cover any rash if you go out of your home. Avoid public transportation

If you have symptoms of monkeypox, talk to your healthcare provider about testing, and treatment and self-care options.​ Although no treatment specific to monkeypox exists, antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. Antivirals are the most effective when taken shortly after exposure.

People in Kentucky and bordering states have been diagnosed with the monkeypox infection. 

You can learn more about the U.S. monkeypox outbreak 2022 at the CDC website.