[College Hill Topeka] Fwd: Media Release: KDHE and SCHD Investigating Probable Case of Monkeypox in Shawnee County

Tue Aug 9 19:11:09 CDT 2022

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rachelle Vega-Retana <rvretana at topeka.org>
Date: Tue, Aug 9, 2022 at 8:12 AM
Subject: Media Release: KDHE and SCHD Investigating Probable Case of
Monkeypox in Shawnee County
To:

*Topeka, Kan.* – The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) working in
conjunction with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and
the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories has identified a probable
case of Monkeypox in Shawnee County. The individual was exposed after
contact with a confirmed positive case that had traveled to Shawnee County
from out-of-state. SCHD is awaiting confirmatory test results from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The individual is currently isolating at home and KDHE is working to
identify and monitor any and all close contacts. To maintain patient
confidentiality, no additional information will be shared at this time.

The monkeypox vaccine, JYNNEOS, is available to individuals in Shawnee
County with a known exposure to a positive case. Due to limited vaccine
supply, eligible individuals will be contacted by KDHE or SCHD through
contact monitoring efforts.

“The risk of monkeypox transmission in Shawnee County continues to be low,”
said Teresa Fisher, Director of SCHD. “The Shawnee County Health Department
will continue to work in close collaboration with KDHE and our local
healthcare partners. Should you be experiencing any symptoms consistent
with monkeypox you should contact your medical provider immediately.”

People with monkeypox sometimes develop a flu-like illness with fever,
fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes followed by a rash. The incubation period
for monkeypox is typically 7 to 14 days; however, it can range from 5 to 21
days.

Monkeypox is a viral infection that can spread through contact with body
fluids, sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have
been contaminated with fluids from sores of a person with monkeypox.
Individuals with monkeypox may spread the virus through:

   1. Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interactions
   (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone
   who has monkeypox);

   1. Direct skin-to-skin contact with rash lesions (lesions may look like
   pimples) or infectious sores/scabs;

   1. Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing, hugging, massaging and
   cuddling;

   1. Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone; and

   1. Sharing towels or unwashed clothing.

Most people with monkeypox have a mild illness that improves without
treatment over 2 to 4 weeks. Treatment is supportive and focused on easing
the symptoms of the illness. Monkeypox is contagious and can spread easily
to others until scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.
Monkeypox is NOT spread through casual brief conversations or walking past
someone in a store.

To prevent the spread of monkeypox, SCHD recommends:

   1. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that
   looks like monkeypox.
      1. Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
      2. Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.

   1. Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox
   has used.
      1. Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
      2. Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a
      person with monkeypox.

   1. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based
   hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after
   you use the bathroom.

KDHE has set up a phone bank that is available to assist in answering
general questions about monkeypox. Individuals can call 1-866-KDHEINF
(534-3463) Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm or can email their questions to
monkeypox at ks.gov.

*Shawnee County Health Department is committed to working in partnership
with our community to promote and protect
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>
the optimal health of all people by bridging gaps to eliminate health
inequities, respecting the diversity of our community, through adaptive and
innovative processes.*

*Craig Barnes*

Division Manager

Community Health Outreach and
Planning

Shawnee County Health Department

2600 SW East Circle Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

Topeka, KS 66606
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

http://www.shawneehealth.org/

785.251.5612 office

785.806.6310 cell

785.251.5696 fax

 *+++++CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE+++++*

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Rachelle Vega-Retana, Program Coordinator - KDADS

City of Topeka, Dept. of Planning & Development

Division of Housing Services

620 SE Madison St
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/620+SE+Madison+St?entry=gmail&source=g>.
1st Floor – Unit 8

Topeka, Ks. 66607

Phone: (785) 368-4490

Fax:      (785) 368-2546

Email:    rvretana at topeka.org

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