CHAPEL HILL, NC – Just weeks ago, the Orange County Health Department announced its first confirmed case of monkeypox in the region. According to the North Carolina Department of Health, there have been 399 cases of the virus identified in the state since monkeypox arrived in the United States last spring.
While outbreaks on college campuses are still considered rare, Campus Health and other local providers are prepared for testing and vaccinations.
What is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox or MPX is a disease caused by a virus that originated in Central and West Africa. Last spring, the virus spread to parts of Europe and eventually into the United States.
According to David Weber, the medical director of the Department of Infection Prevention at UNC Medical Center, monkeypox falls into the same category as smallpox.
“This is an Orthopoxvirus which is most closely related to vaccinia virus, which we use for smallpox protection in smallpox,” he said. “There are many other uncommon viruses in that group. It is more distantly related to other pox viruses such as chickenpox.”
The virus can be spread in several ways, most commonly through direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the infection. It can also be spread through respiratory droplets in face-to-face or intimate contact scenarios. In other cases, the virus may be spread by coming in contact with contaminated objects such as clothing or bedding.
A tell-tale sign of monkeypox is a rash of pus-filled bumps on the skin. According to Weber, the rash usually begins on the face and upper extremities and then spreads across the rest of the body. Weber also said that people should watch out for other symptoms before the onset of the rash.
“It starts off classic in M-Pox, you have headache, fever, chills. You can get swollen lymph nodes, that usually occurs one to four days before you develop symptoms,” Weber said. “Then you develop a rash.”
While these symptoms may be unpleasant or even painful, this strain of monkeypox is not likely to be fatal.
Knowing your resources
In response to increased cases in the state, Campus Health is working with other state and national organizations to respond to monkeypox.
Students who present symptoms of monkeypox may be tested at Campus Health. Testing involves using a cotton swab to vigorously rub skin lesions in order to collect DNA that could be associated with the virus. According to Weber, results could come back anywhere from one to four days after being tested.
In the case of a positive test result, Mike DeFranco, the public health services manager at OCHD, said there are a couple of steps people need to take.
“They need to isolate. We want them to stay away from others,” he said. “And then the next step is going to be communicating with, certainly if you have a primary care physician or primary care provider and then the health department.”
Monkeypox vaccines are also available in limited supply at Campus Health. These vaccines are administered at no cost to people who fall into Campus Health’s and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eligibility guidelines.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is currently being administered in North Carolina. It is safe for people who are pregnant or immunocompromised and can even be administered after being exposed to the virus.
Whether it’s for prevention or response after exposure, DeFranco said it’s important for students to be transparent with health providers and officials in order to reduce the spread.
“Know your resources, get out there, and get tested, and if you are symptomatic, try to reduce your footprint until you know that that test is negative,” DeFranco said. “And then if somebody does call, it’s like just try to let them know, give them the information that’s needed.”