Monkeypox: Public Health Update 8/8/2022

To: Students, Faculty, and Staff
Date: August 8, 2022
Re: Monkeypox: Public Health Update
On August 4, 2022, the Biden administration declared monkeypox, a viral disease, a public health emergency, with cases on the rise across the United States. This comes following The World Health Organization declaring  monkeypox a public health emergency on July 23, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation. As of August 5, 2022, the total confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States is 7,510.  Total confirmed monkeypox cases by state, provided by the CDC, can be found here. Total confirmed monkeypox cases in New Jersey, provided by the NJ Department of Health, can be found here. Based on current information available at the time of this communication, there are no known monkeypox cases impacting members of the Ramapo community.

Facts About Monkeypox

While there are confirmed cases of monkeypox in New Jersey,  it is important for you to be aware of the facts about the disease. Monkeypox is a rare disease known for causing a rash and flu-like symptoms.  While associated with smallpox, monkeypox has been found to cause less severe symptoms and is rarely fatal. Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox has existed in humans since around 1970 and medical professionals understand the virus and there are effective vaccines and antiviral treatment.

How Does Monkeypox Spread?

• It is spread from close personal contact.  According to the CDC, this can be through:
  • Direct contact with rash, scabs, body fluids of a person with the monkeypox virus
  • Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact
  • During intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, sexual activity (oral, anal, vaginal sex, or touching the genitals) with a person who has the monkeypox virus
  • Touching items (such as clothing or bedding) that previously touched the infectious person’s rash or body fluids
  • Pregnant people can spread the virus to their baby through the placenta
• It can also be transmitted from infected animals in rare cases
• The virus can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash is fully healed and a thin layer of skin has formed over the lesions
• It is currently unknown if people without symptoms, but are infected, can transmit the virus

Early research shows that, unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is spread mainly through close, rather than casual, contact and can only be spread after symptoms begin. For that reason, many epidemiologists did not predict the outbreaks would grow to such large proportions.

Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox

• Monkeypox can infect anyone. You are encouraged to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, found here.
• Monkeypox initially starts with flu like symptoms (fever, malaise, headache, body aches, swollen glands, fatigue)
• After several days, a rash develops and may progress over a week or two
• Rash typically begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body
• It can look like pimples or blisters and can occur anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth, in the groin, or on the genitals
• Presentations can vary. Some people get the rash first, then experience the other symptoms; others just get the rash and no other symptoms
• Symptoms can develop up to 21 days after exposure to the virus

CDC Prevention Steps

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.  The CDC has helpful prevention information related to Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothes of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

If You Are Sick With Monkeypox-like Symptoms:

Isolate at home. If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible. Cover any lesions with long pants, long-sleeve shirt. Wear a mask.
Call your local department of health,  primary care provider, or Ramapo’s Health Services (if a student), 201-684-7536 for guidance and resources related to testing.
Employees should seek guidance from their primary care provider and contact the Benefits Office for clearance to return to work.
Students with monkeypox-like symptoms should not come to campus or classes until cleared by their primary care provider or Ramapo’s Health Services.  If they reside on campus, they should contact Health Services at  201-684-7536 and isolate in place until evaluation.

What To Do If You Were Exposed:

• If you had a known exposure in the past 14 days: Contact your local health department and/or healthcare provider, as you may be eligible for a two-dose regimen for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) through your local health department. Local health departments will continue to conduct contact tracing and offer the vaccine to anyone identified as a close contact.
• If you had a suspected exposure: You may contact one of these vaccine sites directly:
  Hyacinth AIDS Foundation/Project Living Out Loud! Jersey City: 201-706-3480

The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Asbury Park: 732-502-5100
North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI), Newark: 973-483-3444 ext.200

You may also be eligible for the vaccine if you meet certain criteria:

• Click here for NJ Department of Health Guidance

We will continue to monitor public health conditions on our campus and provide updates as needed.
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