Stockton, CA (August 2, 2022): San Joaquin County Public Health Services (SJCPHS) is reporting that, as of August 2, 2022, there have been six monkeypox cases in San Joaquin County residents. None have required hospitalization, and all have recovered or are recovering while isolating at home. Monkeypox is a viral infection that is primarily spread through close contact via direct exposure to infectious sores, scabs, or body fluid. It can also be spread through touching materials that have been used by a person with monkeypox, and via respiratory secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact.
Symptoms of monkeypox may include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days, most people will develop a rash that can look like pimples or blisters. These may appear anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, chest, feet, and genitals, or they may be limited to one part of the body. The illness can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed, scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, which can take 2−4 weeks.
Most cases of monkeypox resolve on their own and hospitalization is rarely needed. There have been no deaths due to monkeypox in the United States.
The rising cases in the county, state as well as nationwide should serve as a reminder to the San Joaquin residents that this virus continues to spread. Therefore, they should take precautionary measures.
Supplies of the Jynneos vaccine have been limited. SJCPHS has been offering vaccines to close contacts of confirmed cases. As more vaccine becomes available, we will be able to offer pre-exposure prophylaxis to priority groups that are at risk of exposure and at risk for more severe outcomes. Information regarding vaccination opportunities will be posted on our website at sjcphs.org.
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