The Alaska Department of Health and the Anchorage Health Department announced the first case of monkeypox in the state on Friday. The person was identified as an Anchorage resident and they didn’t require hospitalization and is isolating at home. The individual had not traveled but was a close contact of an individual who had recently traveled outside of Alaska.
The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is in the process of identifying people who could have been exposed to the viral disease in the state. Any close contacts will be notified and offered a vaccine. Those with close contact exposure to monkeypox are advised to reach out to their doctor for evaluation. Testing for monkeypox is available in Alaska, as is a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine.
At this time, the vaccine is being prioritized for those who have been identified as having close contact to someone with the disease within the last two weeks. Currently, vaccination to prevent monkeypox is not recommended for the general public, according to the DOH.
Monkeypox does not spread easily between people. Transmission can take place through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids or monkeypox sores, through direct contact with contaminated items, and through exposure to respiratory droplets during face-to-face contact. The DOH adds that, while anyone can get or spread monkeypox, in the current outbreak in the United States, most cases have occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
In a statement, Dr. Joe McLaughlin, state epidemiologist and chief of the Section of Epidemiology said:
“While the risk of monkeypox infection remains low for the general population, it is important for people who might be at increased risk for exposure to be aware of how to prevent transmission and what signs and symptoms to look for.”
Flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion within 1-2 weeks of exposure is seen as the beginning of symptoms of monkeypox with the rash typically appearing soon thereafter, but the DOH does note that some may only develop the rash. People infected with the viral disease are typically sick for two-to-four weeks.
Dr. Brian Piltz, medical officer at the Anchorage Health Department, adds:
“The best thing folks can do if they’re experiencing monkeypox symptoms or come across a new, unexplained rash is to stay home and contact their health provider right away. This will allow us to deliver prompt treatment and rapid identification of close contacts who may be eligible for vaccination.”
To avoid spreading monkeypox, avoid close contact with people who have recently been diagnosed or with those who have symptoms such as a characteristic rash. If you are in close contact with someone who has symptoms, you are urged to mask up, limit skin-to-skin contact and wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
As of July 28, confirmed monkeypox cases have been reported in 46 other states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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