The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning about a rise in mpox cases in the Los Angeles area and urging those at the highest risk of transmission to get vaccinated against the potentially serious disease.
On Monday, Public Health announced that 52 cases of the disease had been reported in L.A. County over the last four weeks, more than twice the number of cases over the previous four-week period.
Of those new cases, about 70% of them affected people who were not vaccinated for mpox.
Public Health officials are urging those with the highest likelihood of exposure to receive a two-dose vaccine against mpox, which is available to anyone and can be found at pharmacies across L.A. County. Public Health Clinics also offer the vaccine free of charge, no appointment needed, while supplies last.
The vaccine is strongly recommended for men or transgender individuals who have sex with men or other transgender individuals, as well as anyone involved in “commercial and/or transactional sex.” It’s also encouraged for people who engage in sexual or intimate physical contact at large public events, those living with HIV, and the sexual partners of individuals in any of these groups.
High-risk individuals are urged to receive two doses of the vaccine, the second of which can be administered no matter how long it’s been since the first.
Mpox, which was previously referred to as monkeypox, is spread through close contact, primarily through contact with body fluids, sores and shared bedding or clothing. It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets from kissing, coughing and sneezing.
This 1997 image provided by the CDC depicts the dorsal surfaces of the hands of a monkeypox case patient, who was displaying the appearance of the characteristic rash during its recuperative stage. (CDC via AP)
Symptoms range from fever, chills, headache and muscle ache to swelling of lymph nodes, and unusual blister-like sores on the face, body and genitals.
Anyone with these symptoms, especially those who’ve traveled to Africa within the last 21 days, is urged to contact a health care provider for testing.
Public Health has released the following tips to reduce risk of spreading mpox:
Ask partners if they have mpox symptoms or feel sick, and avoid intimate contact if there’s a new or unexplained rash or illness until consulting a health care provider.
Limit the number of partners, especially those with unknown sexual history.
Exchange contact information with new partners for sexual health follow-up if needed.
Avoid sex parties or spaces where intimate contact with multiple people occurs.
Use condoms and gloves to reduce exposure, but note that condoms may not fully protect against mpox.
Don’t share towels, clothing, bedding, fetish gear, sex toys or toothbrushes.
Wash hands as well as those items after each use.
Public Health is engaged in monitoring and tracking mpox cases; for the most current information and resources, visit the Health Department’s Mpox website or call its information call center at 1-833-540-0473.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning about a rise in mpox cases in the Los Angeles area and urging those at the highest risk of transmission to get vaccinated against the potentially serious disease. On Monday, Public Health announced that 52 cases of the disease had been reported in L.A. County […]
Leave a Reply