Our state is closely monitoring Maryland’s moneybox outbreak. As a member of the House Health and Government Operation, I am closely watching the state’s outbreak response, we will keep you updated as things develop.
Maryland Outbreak Response
- Monkeypox cases are growing across the country. On August 4, 2022, the White House declared monkeypox a public health emergency. This will allow the federal government to provide states with additional resources like medical supplies and equipment and increased access to care for at least 90 days.
- While cases in Maryland remain marginally low, taking preventative actions like testing and vaccinations can help contain the outbreak and reduce the spread of the virus.
- Currently, Maryland has a limited supply of vaccines and is focused on vaccinating those who may have been exposed in the prior two weeks and on locations that have case counts and higher-risk populations.
- Anyone who believes that they may need testing or treatment should contact their health care provider or local health department.
- The House Health and Government Operations Committee Chair, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, has oversight of the monkeypox outbreak and is working with the Maryland Department of Health to closely monitor the issue.
Transmission
- Anyone can get and spread monkeypox. At this time, the risk to the general public appears to be low.
- The vast majority of cases have been reported among men who have sex with men.
- Although monkeypox is not as easily transmissible as COVID-19, it can be spread through close, personal, or skin-to-skin contact, including:
- direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
- respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
- pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Testing
- Nationwide, testing capacity for monkeypox virus has expanded. Multiple commercial labs have brought a monkeypox virus test online in the past two weeks, and we anticipate more coming in the next month.
- Providers are encouraged to make use of these commercial labs for patient testing when possible.
Treatment
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
- Antivirals, such as tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems.
Additional Resources
MDH-Social-Gatherings-and-Safer-Sex.pdf (maryland.gov)
MDH-Monkeypox-Clinician-Letter_8.5.2022.pdf (maryland.gov)