Monkeypox has been a hot topic this year, but the Utah County Health Department wants residents to know that the disease is still quite rare.

Monkeypox is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first documented human case of the disease occurred in 1970, long before the 2022 outbreak.

Utah County has had six confirmed or probable monkeypox cases so far, and although cases are rare, the UCHD is still working with the CDC and state health department in order to monitor and work to prevent the disease.

While monkeypox has been falsely connected by some to COVID-19, according to Aislynn Tolman-Hill, public relations officer for the Utah County Health Department, the two diseases share one very key difference.

“The good news is this is not something like COVID where they’re going to see those potential long-term effects; they do get better,” Tollman-Hill said. “It’s not a fun process to go through and it can be painful, but they do recover.”

According to the UCHD website, monkeypox can be transmitted through direct contact with the rash, scabs or body fluids of someone who has been infected, contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, or by touching items like clothing or linens that have previously touched an infectious rash or body fluids of an infected person.

Symptoms of the disease typically begin seven to 14 days after exposure but can occur anywhere from five to 21 days after exposure. Those infected with monkeypox may experience fever, chills, body or muscle aches, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and a rash. Most people who contract monkeypox can make a full recovery with no treatment.

To prevent the spread of monkeypox, the UCHD recommends avoiding close contact with anyone with a rash or flu-like symptoms. Those with the disease are not contagious until they start to have symptoms, and condoms do not prevent the spread of monkeypox.

“It’s really important with monkeypox and other diseases just to stay home when you’re not feeling well,” Tollman-Hill said. “And try to follow up with your health care provider.”

Limited monkeypox vaccines are available for those most at risk of contracting the disease, and according to Tollman-Hill, these vaccine clinics have not been advertised because such a small percentage of the population is currently at risk.

“We’re not advertising them widely because there is some misinformation of people not really understanding that it’s not everyone that needs this vaccination at this time,” she said. “That might change in the future, but at this point, we do have a very limited amount of vaccines and we are vaccinating a very specific population and it’s pretty small.”

Currently, the state’s supply of monkeypox vaccines has been reserved for the following populations over 18:

• Those who have been exposed through very close contact to a confirmed case of monkeypox.
• Cisgender or transgender men who have sex with men and have HIV or are immunocompromised.
• Men who have sex with men and have had several male sexual partners in the last 14 days.
• Men who have recently traveled to a high-risk area and have had sexual contact with another male.

According to Tollman-Hill, those who do not meet these criteria will be turned away from receiving the monkeypox vaccine at this time.

“If someone does sign up for a vaccine and let’s say they’re just concerned about travel precautions … and they do show up at a vaccination event, they still have to go through a screening process with a medical professional,” she said. “If they don’t meet the very specific criteria, they will not be receiving that vaccine.”

If you are experiencing symptoms of monkeypox or are a member of the at-risk population seeking vaccination options, contact your health care provider or visit https://health.utahcounty.gov/2022/08/08/monkeypox/ for more information.

Newsletter