Salem Board of Health Statement on the Monkeypox Outbreak

The World Health Organization convened to assess the health implications of the multi-country outbreak of Monkeypox (MPV) and declared the outbreak a global emergency.

MPV is a rare, but potentially serious, viral illness whose symptoms are similar in nature to those of the flu. These include fever, chills, malaise, and headaches. These symptoms could progress to the swelling of the lymph nodes and rashes on the face and other parts of the body. Although the fatality rate for MPV in the United States is <1%, it is still a viral illness that should be taken seriously.  

Currently, the majority of reported MPV cases occur among people assigned male at birth and most frequently among those males who identify as gay, bisexual, and/or men who have sex with men. However, any person, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation can acquire and spread monkeypox. Although the virus does not spread easily between people, most infections last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks and can be very burdensome to an infected person.

Monkeypox can spread in the following ways:

• Direct skin to skin contact with rash lesions; sexual/intimate contact
• Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone; sharing towels or unwashed clothes and linens
• Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interaction where large respiratory droplets are transferred (namely, among those caring for a family member who has MPV)
• MPV does not spread through casual conversations or even walking past a person with MPV.

Based upon the current state of the outbreak the Salem Board of Health advises high risk individuals to take appropriate precautions to prevent Monkeypox exposure and if eligible, get vaccinated in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) and MA Department of Public Health guidelines and recommendations to help prevent infection.

For more information, please visit www.salemma.gov/monkeypox.