KDHE and Johnson County Department of Health and Environment identified the first presumptive positive case of Monkeypox in Kansas over the weekend. The risk of Monkeypox spreading through Kansas is LOW.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that can spread person-to-person through close contact, bodily fluids, or contact through contaminated materials such as clothing or linens. The Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox, but is less severe.
Illness usually begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
After a few days, a rash appears, often starting at the face or inside the mouth and then spreading to other parts of the body. The first phase of the rash can look like pimples or blisters and it goes through several stages before it heals. The rash can be painful and leave permanent scarring.
Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after exposure and typically clear up within 2-4 weeks. Although unusual, some people with the virus can fall seriously ill or even die. Severe illness is more likely for people with weakened immune systems, people with eczema, children under 8 y.o., and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you think you have symptoms of Monkeypox, stay home to avoid spreading the disease to others and contact your medical care provider for advice. There are no treatments specifically for Monkeypox, but in some cases smallpox treatments can be used. These medications can only be administered by a doctor. There is a Monkeypox vaccine but the supply is extremely limited in the U.S. You can only get a Monkeypox vaccine if KDHE health officials contact you directly and offer it. You cannot petition to get the vaccine.
Additional Information
Find more info about Monkeypox from KDHE.
Call KDHE at call 1-866-KDHEINF (534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email questions to [email protected]
FAQ sheet about Monkeypox.
Photo credit NHS England High Consequence Infections Disease Network
