Health Department separates monkeypox fact and fiction

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is in the same family of viruses that cause smallpox, but is much milder. There are currently 22 cases in the state, over 15,000 nationwide, and more than 43,000 globally. As with any new disease impacting our state, we at the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) want to separate fact from fiction so residents can make informed choices to protect themselves.

Monkeypox symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and backache, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. The best indicator that this is NOT another infection is a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and other parts of the body, such as hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. Some people get the rash before symptoms, or just the rash. While there have not been any deaths in the U.S., monkeypox is still something we need to avoid and prevent.

Monkeypox is spread from person to person through close, personal and often skin-to-skin contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids. It can also be spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during such intimate physical contact as kissing, cuddling and sex. Anyone in close, personal contact with a person infected with monkeypox can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.

While monkeypox is spreading throughout the U.S., we should remember that the risk of getting monkeypox for most people is low, and we do not have to wipe down our groceries or doorknobs as we did at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have noted a lot of early cases among gay and bisexual men, but we have seen before that infectious diseases move among populations. Since we know the highest risk is through close, personal contact, including intimate and sexual activities, we can all take precautions.

As our case numbers are low right now, we have the opportunity, as a community, to help prevent the spread of monkeypox. There are three ways to do this:

1. Prevention Behaviors: Since monkeypox is primarily spread by contact, you have to come into either close physical contact with monkeypox lesions or with items that touched the monkeypox lesions. Therefore, ways to avoid getting monkeypox include: A.) Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox, B.) Avoiding contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used, and C.) Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face.

2. Get Tested: If you have a rash that looks like monkeypox, get tested right away. Tests are becoming more widely available in health care settings and can also be done at DOH Public Health Offices. Monkeypox testing is free and you do not need to have an ID or insurance. If you test positive for monkeypox and are eligible for treatment, your provider will also be able to get you access to free treatment through the DOH.

3. Get Vaccines if Eligible: If you have been exposed to, or are at high risk for monkeypox, a free monkeypox vaccine is available. The vaccine has few side effects other than pain at the injection site. We have seen impacted communities protect themselves, their sexual partners and people in their households by registering for the vaccine. So far, more than 1,000 people in New Mexico have already chosen to reduce their risk and have received their first of two shots.

For more information about monkeypox, visit nmhealth.org and click on the monkeypox tab in the upper right corner.