Monkeypox Health Advisory in Place, Vaccine Eligibility Extended

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Although the risk of monkeypox in Los Angeles remains low, the county’s Department of Public Health issued a health advisory to encourage Angelenos to take precautions to avoid becoming infected with the disease.

Monkeypox is described as a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is typically associated with travel to West or Central Africa, or contact with imported infected animals, according to Public Health.The virus has recently been identified in the United States through human-to-human contact.

Public Health said a person’s risk of being exposed can increase through intimate contact: hugging or kissing multiple or anonymous people, spending time at clubs, raves, saunas and engaging in activities where there is skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact with many people.

The monkeypox virus can also be spread by touching monkeypox lesions on a person’s skin, and/or direct contact with respiratory droplets or secretions from the eyes, nose, mouth from a person with monkeypox.

Early signs of monkeypox include a fever, headache, cough or sore throat, muscle and backaches, chills, followed by a rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Infections can last two to four weeks, according to Public Health.

There is a vaccine available that can prevent monkeypox and can be used for the protection of people who are at high risk of exposure to the disease.

Angelenos who are immunocompromised, including those with advanced or uncontrolled HIV, will be prioritized for vaccination.

With the arrival of additional vaccine doses to LA, Public Health said it is expanding the criteria to include additional residents, including gay or bisexual men and transgender persons, 18 years or older, who have had multiple and/or anonymous partners in the last 14 days.

Those who meet any of the criteria can pre-register for vaccination at ph.lacounty.gov/monkeypoxsignup.

On August 17, Public Health announced an additional 19,000 doses will be distributed to community providers and public vaccine sites providing first doses to those eligible and 1,000 doses will be reserved for close contacts, outbreak response and special populations.

Residents who received their first dose over 28 days ago can receive their second dose.

“Without adequate supply of vaccine from the federal government, residents, especially those at higher risk for monkeypox, should take precautions to avoid becoming infected,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement. “Like all other infectious diseases, anyone can get monkeypox, and while we wait for more [vaccines,] it is critical that residents assess their risk, learn how to recognize monkeypox, and take steps to protect themselves. We also encourage those who suspect they have monkeypox to talk to a doctor to get tested and to take steps to prevent spreading it to anyone else.”

For more information, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/monkeypox.