Monkeypox discovered in Butler County; transmission risk still low
Butler Health System has diagnosed one person with monkeypox, after “a number” of tests were administered over the past few weeks.
Dr. John Love, BHS’ medical director of infectious disease, said that although the viral zoonosis disease has been discovered in the county, it should not spark panic among residents. Rather, they should just be aware of its symptoms to avoid advancing its spread.
He said people should contact their care provider if they develop any kind of rash, and individuals should be cautious about whom they come into skin-to-skin contact with.
“Getting a rash right now could be all the usual things, but I want them to talk to providers, call their doctor,” Love said. “None of this should be sparking panic, it’s just about making sure we are thoughtful of our approach and using our best resources.”
According to the state department of health, monkeypox is much less contagious than COVID-19, and the current risk of getting monkeypox is “very low for the general public.” Additionally, most patients experience mild illness and require no treatment.
Monkeypox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed, so the illness typically lasts two to four weeks, according to the state department of health’s website.
Love said BHS has been preparing for the potential local spread of monkeypox by providing its primary care doctors and health professionals with tests, and implementing additional survey questions for visitors of Butler Memorial Hospital.
“We have tried to make testing available where people are likely to show up saying, 'I have this rash, and I don't know what to do about it,'” Love said.
“It's not a judgment; it's not to target people. It's just to understand why someone might be at a higher risk of diagnosis as someone else,” he said of the survey questions. “We make it as nonthreatening and private as we can.”
Monkeypox is most likely to spread through skin-to-skin contact, and especially lesion-to-lesion exposure. However, Love said there have been cases where it spread through contact with an infected object, like a towel.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but it is often transmitted through close, sustained physical contact, which can include sexual contact.
Love also advised people who are sexually active to use caution.
“Passing someone in a grocery store probably won't have transmission,” Love said. “We are seeing it in sexual encounters; that's where the public needs to focus their attention.”
In addition to a skin rash, symptoms can also include pain around the affected area and fatigue. Love said the physical pain can be enough to oust people from their jobs for at least a few days.
Love said BHS does not currently have a monkeypox vaccine, but the department of health is working on a roll out plan. Some vaccines used to treat smallpox are effective against monkeypox, Love said.
He also said most people won’t be recommended for a vaccine, or even notice testing sites springing up around the region like they did with COVID-19. However, he advised that for the foreseeable future, people exercise caution when around people who were potentially exposed.
“There isn't a lot most patients are going to see in terms of some big response,” Love said. “It is still a serious illness; it can be painful and put (someone) out of work for a few weeks, so it is something we need to take seriously.”
