HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.18.22 For Immediate Release_ Public Health Identifies First Probable Case of Monkeypox in Butte County
From:Almaguer, Lisa
To:BOS; Cox, Erin; McSpadden, Elaine; Nicholas, Jodi; Putnam, Jodi; Soderstrom, Monica; Star, Nanette
Cc:York, Danette; Canton, David; Hatcher, Casey
Subject:For Immediate Release: Public Health Identifies First Probable Case of Monkeypox in Butte County
Date:Monday, July 18, 2022 12:08:04 PM
The following press release will be issued to the media at 12: 30 pm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2022
PUBLIC HEALTH IDENTIFIES FIRST PROBABLE CASE OF
MONKEYPOX
IN BUTTE COUNTY
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – Butte County Public Health (BCPH) has received lab notification
of the first probable case of monkeypox in a Butte County resident. While the current risk to
the general public remains low, BCPH encourages residents to be aware of the signs and
symptoms of the virus.
A regional public health laboratory conducted the initial testing that identified this probable
case of monkeypox. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is
conducting confirmatory testing.
To reduce the risk of further spread, BCPH is working to identify, contact, and monitor all
close contacts of this probable case who may be at risk of acquiring monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a rare, viral infection spread through close, personal contact including
kissing, sex, and other skin-to-skin contact. Monkeypox may also be spread by sharing
items such as towels, bedding and clothing or through respiratory droplets associated with
prolonged face-to-face contact. The virus can be acquired by all people, regardless of
gender identity or sexual orientation.
Most cases of monkeypox resolve on their own and rarely require hospitalization. To date,
no deaths in the United States have occurred due to the virus.
“Monkeypox is much less contagious than COVID-19 and does not easily spread between
people with casual contact,” said Dr. David Canton, Butte County Public Health Officer.
“Even with the low public risk of monkeypox, it’s important to be aware of the signs of
infection. Anyone with symptoms should stay home and contact their health care provider
right away.”
Symptoms of monkeypox may start with a flu-like illness, including fever, headache,
muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. However, not all
persons have symptoms before the rash develops. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer),
infected persons can develop a rash that can look like pimples. These may appear
anywhere on the body, including the genitals or they may be limited to one part of the
body. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is usually
714 days but can range from 521 days. The illness can spread from the time symptoms
start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, which can take
24 weeks.
How to protect others:
Anyone who has symptoms or has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with
monkeypox should:
Stay home if you are feeling sick
Contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and inform the provider that you have
been in close contact with a person with Monkeypox
Avoid skin to skin contact with others
Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing
Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
Wear a well-fitting mask around others
Wash hands often
How to protect yourself:
Talk to close physical contacts about their general health, including recent rashes or
sores.
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like
monkeypox.
Don’t share or handle bedding, linens or clothing of a person with monkeypox
Wash hands often
Monkeypox Vaccination
On July 14, BCPH received the county’s first allocation of the monkeypox vaccine. BCPH
will identify persons who may be high risk, close contacts of confirmed cases and determine their
vaccine eligibility. The CDC recommends vaccination for persons considered to be a high risk for
monkeypox due to their exposure level and/or their underlying health conditions. Because of the
long incubation period for monkeypox, the vaccine can be used to help prevent development of
disease in exposed persons as well as protect people prior to exposure. The vaccine can reduce the
risk of illness if given within four days after exposure and may reduce the risk of serious illness if
given after 4 days but no later than 14 days after exposure. The sooner the vaccine is administered
after exposure, the more likely it is to work. At this time, due to limited supplies, vaccination of
exposed persons and persons at occupational risk of exposure are prioritized. As more vaccine
becomes available, BCPH will work to ensure that local providers are able to offer the vaccine and
that it will be made available for pre-exposure protection for persons at high risk of exposure.
More information about the virus and how to limit infection risk can be found on the
California Department of Public Health Monkeypox website.
###
Lisa Almaguer
Communications Manager / PIO
BUTTE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
202 Mira Loma Drive | Oroville, CA 95965