Monkeypox

Last updated 11.06.2022  

California State University Maritime Academy is currently following local and state public health guidelines in order to ensure our campus community is prepared for a successful start to the fall semester amid the growing monkeypox outbreak. Here, you will find information about the monkeypox virus and the resources available to our campus community via the Cal Maritime Student Health Center. For the latest monkeypox case counts in Solano County, click here. 

 

Upcoming Vaccine Clinics

Wednesday, November 9, 2022  11AM - 4PM  Solano Community Health Hub - Solano Mall, 1451 Gateway Blvd, Fairfield, CA


The vaccine is being prioritized for: 
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)++ for individuals with certain risk factors who are more likely to have been recently exposed to MPox even if they have not had documented exposure to someone with confirmed monkeypox, such as people who attended an event or venue where there was known MPox exposure. 

*2nd Dose of the vaccine is now available. 2nd doses will be administered to individuals who are at least 28 days from receiving their 1st dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine. 

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is 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 symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox. Monkeypox spreads to through prolonged close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including sex and kissing. The virus can be spread from the time symptoms start until all sores, including scabs, have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks. 

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Initial symptoms are similar to the flu (fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes), followed by a rash and sores that look similar to herpes sores. The rash or sores may be located on or near the genitals or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, or face.  

  • The sores will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.  
  • The sores can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.  
  • Sores may be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus. 


There are number of ways to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including: 

  • Always talking to your sexual partner/s about any recent illness and being aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including on the genitals and anus 
  • Avoiding close contact, including sex, with people with symptoms like sores or rashes 
  • Avoid sharing the same bed or bed linens as a person with symptoms consistent with monkeypox 
  • Practicing good hand hygiene 
  • People who become infected should isolate until their symptoms are improving or have gone away completely. Rash should always be well covered until completely healed. 
  • Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (like a mask, gown, and gloves) when caring for others with symptoms 
  • Avoiding contact with infected materials contaminated with the virus 
  • Avoiding contact with infected animals 

If you have rash or spots that may look like Monkeypox, reach out to your healthcare provider for further testing and evaluation. The Cal Maritime Student Health Center can provide resources for students who think they may have come into contact with the monkeypox virus.  

 

Sources: 

Solano County Public Health Department 

https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/bureaus/communicable_disease/monkeypox.asp 

California Department of Public Health (CADPH) 

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/monkeypox.aspx 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html