Public health announces five new monkeypox cases

The number of monkeypox cases in Delaware is at 11, prompting state officials to warn people who have sex with more than one partner to take precautions.

Those infected are all males, with two, ages 23 and 57, from Sussex County. The other three, ages 28, 34 and 57, are from New Castle County, officials said. All the cases are unrelated, but three men said they had intimate contact with someone who had monkeypox.

Monkeypox spreads between people through direct contact with an infectious rash or body fluids, or by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Transmission of the monkeypox virus is possible from the onset of the first symptoms until the scabs have separated and the skin has fully healed. Most people with monkeypox do not require hospitalization and may isolate at home. 

Public health officials are offering vaccines but are giving priority to those exposed to monkeypox or who have had multiple sex partners within the past two weeks.

As of Aug. 15, officials said, access to the vaccine is expanded to those who are living with HIV, as well as those receiving pre-exposure treatment for HIV. 

Vaccine access will be expanded to include those engaging in high-risk activities, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple (more than one) or any anonymous sexual partners; transgender women or nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men; sex workers of any sexual orientation/gender; and staff of any sexual orientation/gender at establishments where sexual activity occurs, such as bathhouses, saunas or sex clubs. 

Those engaging in behaviors including intimate contact with multiple partners are at higher risk than the general public, officials said. While access to the vaccine is expanding, officials said, not everyone needs it. Monkeypox is spread primarily through direct contact with an infected person, not via airborne transmission. 

The general public can protect themselves from getting monkeypox by limiting direct contact with anyone with a concerning rash, limiting the number of intimate partners, and not sharing bedding, towels and eating or drinking utensils.

As fall sports practices begin, officials said individuals who participate in sports should practice preventive measures whenever possible. This includes laundering uniforms after each game or practice, seeking advice from their primary care provider concerning rashes, sanitizing team spaces when they are not in use, not sharing sweat towels, water bottles, mouth guards or other gear, and refraining from leaving unused personal gear lying around. 

Organizations should consider separate seating from fans for players during games; players not playing should avoid sharing benches with fans. Isolated seating will reduce close contact with possible rashes between fans and players, officials said.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of MPX are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Most people who contract MPX will develop a rash, and some will develop flu-like symptoms beforehand. The flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills or exhaustion. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they usually will develop a rash one to four days later.

DPH launched a hotline at 866-408-1899, and questions may also be emailed to DPHCall@delaware.gov. To learn more about MPX prevention programs and resources, visit de.gov/monkeypox.

Upcoming town halls

Beebe Healthcare will hold a virtual town hall for a monkeypox discussion at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15. Dr.  David A. Tam, president and chief executive officer, and Dr. Bill Chasanov, Beebe’s chief population health officer, will share updates on monkeypox. To watch, join Beebe’s Facebook or YouTube page. Recordings will be published for viewing after the town hall ends. CAMP Rehoboth Community Center will hold a town hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik will discuss Delaware's response to the virus and will field questions and concerns from community members. Registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/town-hall-addressing-hmpvx-virus-in-our-community-tickets-400799531187.