SW Nebraska residents at very low monkeypox risk

    Requests for information on the monkeypox virus that is currently circulating the world are being fielded by the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.
    Health officials at the McCook office say monkeypox is a virus that causes a distinctive blistery rash and is usually a mild illness.
    There have been 15 cases identified in Nebraska, none of which are in the SWNPHD nine-county area, said health director Myra Stoney.
     Residents of southwest Nebraska are at very low risk of monkeypox at this time, she said.
    “For our nine-county area, monkeypox is a low risk right now,” said Melissa Propp, RN, and clinic manager with SWNPHD.
    “We encourage anyone experiencing unexplained rash along with flu-like symptoms to contact their healthcare provider,” she said.
    The virus spreads through direct contact with the characteristic rash associated with an active infection of monkeypox. It can also spread through touching objects or surfaces recently used by someone with monkeypox or contact with respiratory secretions.  
    A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
     Other symptoms include muscle aches, headache, fever, swollen glands and exhaustion. In rare cases monkeypox can cause severe illness including sepsis, encephalitis (brain swelling) or other conditions needing hospitalization.
    People at risk of severe illness are those who are immune-compromised, pregnant or breastfeeding, children younger than 8 or who have a history of certain skin conditions.
     Treatment with antivirals is available in Nebraska for people at risk of severe illness. Healthcare providers can request testing through the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory.
     There is a vaccine that protects against monkeypox called Jynneos. Due to the limited doses available and the extremely low risk from this virus, however, the vaccine is currently available in specific high-risk situations, such as people who have had direct contact with someone who has a confirmed case of the virus.
    Some protection is believed to exist for those who received a smallpox vaccination, usually people born before 1972.
    If you have questions, call a health care provider or Propp at SWNPHD, 308-345-4223.