Chesprocott Health District recently gave an update on the status of monkeypox in Connecticut with a primary goal of educating the public. The health district covers Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott and reported no cases in its coverage area.  Currently, there are approximately 59 cases in the state, a number that, although low, is “concerning,” said Kate Glendon, public health specialist for Chesprocott, in an interview with The Cheshire Herald. The Chesprocott report was timely. On Aug. 4, the federal government characterized the disease as a “health emergency.” Given those assessments, it’s right for health districts to get out in front of the issue and do what they can to help the public be informed and appropriately careful. Understanding the risks also could help alleviate undue concern. Glendon explained that unlike COVID-19, this virus isn’t airborne. You won’t get it from sitting next to someone. Travel isn’t a concern and wearing a mask isn’t necessary. The Herald story said: “According to the CDC, the virus is spread through direct person-to-person contact, whether sexual in nature or not, or by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.” “We really just want people to take precautions,” Glendon told The Herald. “Our goal right now is just to educate the public.” Monitoring efforts will continue and, if the health district finds the disease “growing to a higher level of concern,” there will be additional steps to inform the public. While rarely fatal, symptoms of the virus — rashes and lesions — are unpleasant and can be painful. The CDC explains that monkeypox virus is part of the family of viruses that cause smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder. If exposed to the virus, symptoms can appear from four to 17 days following exposure, and the infected person should isolate for two to four weeks. Symptoms usually clear up within a few weeks.  According to Glendon, as long as symptoms are visible, stay away from others, and even pets, as the virus can spread to them. There are populations that appear to be at greater risk. Currently, the LGBTQ+ community is seen as a vulnerable demographic with the highest rate of spread in male-to-male contact. Hotel workers and health care staff are other groups who come in close contact with materials as well as individuals that could pose a risk. Glendon stressed that anyone can get the virus, and plans are underway to provide protective gear, such as gloves and gowns, to those with frequent exposure. One suggestion from Glendon was to have a “health conversation” with potential intimate partners. That’s always a good idea in any situation. Another aspect to managing monkeypox is contact tracing for individuals who test positive for the virus. Glendon told The Herald that the goal is to provide medication that can help people who have been exposed.  “If (we have a case) of monkeypox in our area, we are ready to go,” Glendon said. After the COVID pandemic, many in the public felt that government agencies were not well prepared for such an event and consequently struggled to get good information out. The steps Chesprocott is taking seem right and should provide a measure of confidence that this is a manageable health concern. Those at risk will get the support they need and, if the general public heeds the advice given, the impact of monkeypox can be kept in check.  

Chesprocott Health District recently gave an update on the status of monkeypox in Connecticut with a primary goal of educating the public.

The health district covers Cheshire, Prospect, and Wolcott and reported no cases in its coverage area.  Currently, there are approximately 59 cases in the state, a number that, although low, is “concerning,” said Kate Glendon, public health specialist for Chesprocott, in an interview with The Cheshire Herald.

The Chesprocott report was timely. On Aug. 4, the federal government characterized the disease as a “health emergency.”

Given those assessments, it’s right for health districts to get out in front of the issue and do what they can to help the public be informed and appropriately careful.

Understanding the risks also could help alleviate undue concern. Glendon explained that unlike COVID-19, this virus isn’t airborne. You won’t get it from sitting next to someone. Travel isn’t a concern and wearing a mask isn’t necessary.

The Herald story said: “According to the CDC, the virus is spread through direct person-to-person contact, whether sexual in nature or not, or by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex.”

“We really just want people to take precautions,” Glendon told The Herald. “Our goal right now is just to educate the public.” Monitoring efforts will continue and, if the health district finds the disease “growing to a higher level of concern,” there will be additional steps to inform the public.

While rarely fatal, symptoms of the virus — rashes and lesions — are unpleasant and can be painful. The CDC explains that monkeypox virus is part of the family of viruses that cause smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder.

If exposed to the virus, symptoms can appear from four to 17 days following exposure, and the infected person should isolate for two to four weeks. Symptoms usually clear up within a few weeks.  According to Glendon, as long as symptoms are visible, stay away from others, and even pets, as the virus can spread to them.

There are populations that appear to be at greater risk. Currently, the LGBTQ+ community is seen as a vulnerable demographic with the highest rate of spread in male-to-male contact. Hotel workers and health care staff are other groups who come in close contact with materials as well as individuals that could pose a risk.

Glendon stressed that anyone can get the virus, and plans are underway to provide protective gear, such as gloves and gowns, to those with frequent exposure.

One suggestion from Glendon was to have a “health conversation” with potential intimate partners. That’s always a good idea in any situation.

Another aspect to managing monkeypox is contact tracing for individuals who test positive for the virus. Glendon told The Herald that the goal is to provide medication that can help people who have been exposed.

 “If (we have a case) of monkeypox in our area, we are ready to go,” Glendon said.

After the COVID pandemic, many in the public felt that government agencies were not well prepared for such an event and consequently struggled to get good information out. The steps Chesprocott is taking seem right and should provide a measure of confidence that this is a manageable health concern. Those at risk will get the support they need and, if the general public heeds the advice given, the impact of monkeypox can be kept in check.  

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