On Thursday, August 4, the Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak in the United States a public health emergency. As of earlier this week, there were more than 8,900 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the US, including 12 confirmed cases in Arkansas.
Monkeypox is a type of virus and part of the same family of viruses as the smallpox virus, which causes smallpox. However, monkeypox is usually milder than smallpox and is rarely fatal. People who become infected with monkeypox develop a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or on other parts of the body, including a person’s hands, feet, chest, or face. The rash may initially look like pimples or blisters, going through several different stages (including scabbing) before healing. Along with a rash, other symptoms may include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, headache, and respiratory symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox can spread to anyone through “close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.” This includes direct contact with the monkeypox rash, scabs, or bodily fluids of an infected person. Because the virus is most often transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, intimate contact (including sexual contact) is often a primary mode of transmission. Contact with unwashed bedding or other surfaces can also lead to infection. A pregnant person infected with monkeypox can transmit the virus to her fetus through the placenta.
Section 319 of the Public Health Service Law allows the secretary of health to declare a public health emergency. According to the statement, the federal government will provide additional resources to states and localities (including increased access to vaccines and treatments) and will strengthen data-sharing efforts between states to report tests and hospitalizations. The public health emergency lasts for 90 days and the secretary can extend it beyond that period.
Prior to the federal declaration of a public health emergency, several states had already declared public health emergencies due to the monkeypox outbreak, including New York, California, and Illinois. In July, the World Health Organization recognized the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
There are two types of monkeypox vaccines available in the US, both of which have been extensively tested and deemed safe and effective by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Jynneos vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2019 for the prevention of monkeypox infection. The other vaccine, known as ACAM2000, has been FDA-approved for smallpox and is available for use against monkeypox under an expanded access investigational drug application. The CDC has published information on both vaccines, including factors to consider in determining which vaccine is appropriate for certain people. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) notes in a July 28 news release that the state has been allocated a limited number of doses of the Jynneos vaccine and that individuals should contact their health care provider to determine if treatment is needed.
Antiviral drugs developed to combat smallpox can be used to prevent and treat monkeypox infections. One such antiviral is tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX), which the CDC says is recommended for people who are more likely to experience severe illness, including those who are immunocompromised. ADH has a small supply of this antiviral medication available.
The CDC has issued guidance on how people can protect themselves from monkeypox, including:
In addition, the CDC recommends vaccination of people at higher risk of getting monkeypox. People most likely to get monkeypox include:
Finally, the CDC has released recommendations on safer sex and social gatherings in light of the monkeypox outbreak.
