On July 23rd, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared the escalating global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On August 4th, the United States Health and Human Services (HHS) declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency. It is important to learn how you can keep yourself and your community safe from Monkeypox.
Helpful Websites
- World Health Organization (WHO) Monkeypox Site
- Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) Monekypox Site
- CDC 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health Monkeypox Site
- Monkeypox Vaccination Information
- Boston Public Health Monkeypox Site
- MCPHS Monkeypox Page
- Wentworth Monkeypox Page
- Emmanuel Monkeypox Page
About Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare viral illness with an incubation period of up to 21 days (typically 1 -2 weeks). Illness may begin with flu-like signs and symptoms (fever, chills, malaise, headache, muscle aches/back aches) and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Cases identified during this current outbreak may present only with rash illness without any other symptoms or may only include lesions. Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks and people are considered infectious throughout the duration of symptoms.
The virus does not spread easily between people; transmission most frequently occurs through direct contact with monkeypox rash lesions, scabs, or body fluids. The virus can also be spread through contact with fomites (items that touched the rash lesions or body fluids (clothing, bedding, etc.)), or through large respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.
If you believe you may have Monkeypox and have symptoms, please contact your institution’s health center to determine next steps.
| Institution | Health Services | Counseling and Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Simmons University | (617) 521 – 1020 | (617) 521 – 2455 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | (617) 879 – 5220 | (617) 879 – 7760 |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | (617) 879 – 5220 | (617) 732 – 2837 |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | (617) 879 – 5220 | (617) 989 – 4390 |
| Emmanuel College | (617) 264 – 7678 | (617) 735 – 9920 |
Key Facts
- Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.
- Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks.
- People who believe they are infected with Monkeypox should remain isolated until test results are received.
- Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
- Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding.
- People who are infected with Monkeypox will need to isolate until lesions have subsided.
- An antiviral medicine developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.
- Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for the prevention of monkeypox
Prevention
There are several things you can do to prevent the spread of Monkeypox:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
- Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.
- Clean high-touch surfaces, including door knobs.
- Practice safer sex, as described in the information sheet below.
- If you have been exposed to Monkeypox and are currently symptomatic, you do not need to isolate yourself. Continue to monitor your symptoms for the presence of a rash and if a rash occurs, test and isolate as soon as possible.
- Learn more prevention techniques on the CDC website.
If You Have Been Exposed
Testing, Antivirals, and Vaccines
We have several strategies to help those infected and those who have been exposed to Monkeypox. Please see the CDC website to determine your degree of exposure risk level.
- TESTING – The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) has commercial testing available through several laboratories, including Labcorp, Quest Diagnostics, Aegis Science Corporation, and Sonic Reference Laboratory. You are only able to test if you currently have a rash. Please contact your primary care physician or student health clinic if you want to receive testing. Isolate until your results have arrived.
- ANTIVIRALS – Antiviral treatments are available to those who test positive, including Tecovirimat (TPOXX). Treatment is usually reserved for those with severe disease, who may be at high risk for severe disease, those with one or more complications, or those with lesions where an infection may constitute a special hazard. There are other treatment options for those who cannot receive TPOXX.
- VACCINES – People who are known or presumed to have been exposed to monkeypox are eligible to receive post-exposure vaccination with JYNNEOS. The vaccine is recommended to be administered within 4 days after exposure to prevent the onset of disease but may be administered up to 14 days after exposure to help reduce disease severity. In the United States, the vaccine is being distributed only from the CDC; Massachusetts has already received several vaccine allocations, and more vaccine is expected to become available. Please see the Massachusetts Monkeypox Vaccination webpage to confirm eligibility and determine where you can receive the vaccine.
Quarantine & Isolation
If you believe you have been exposed or are positive for Monkeypox, contact your institution’s health center to determine next steps. Refer to your institution’s absentee policy related to quarantine and isolation for academic requirements.
QUARANTINE – Anyone who is being tested for monkeypox should isolate pending test results. Isolation at home is preferred and means staying away from household members to the extent possible. If you live in a residence hall, please contact your health center as soon as possible. The PUI should cover all lesions and wear a mask whenever they are around anyone else. Household members or roommates also mask if they must be in the same room. If you have been exposed but do not have symptoms you do not need to quarantine.
ISOLATION – People with monkeypox should isolate until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. Limit exposure to others and if unable to, cover the scab and lesions with clothes and bandages. Wear a mask when you are around others. Wash your hands frequently. For more information on isolation,