MPOX INFORMATION: Symptoms of monkeypox (Mpox) 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. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

Transmission
Mpox spreads through: 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. It’s also possible for people to get Mpox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

Mpox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. People who do not have symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if Mpox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

Prevention
Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Mpox. Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with Mpox. Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with Mpox. Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with Mpox. Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with Mpox. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread Mpox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.

• Healthcare providers treating potentially-infected patients should ensure that the patient is properly isolated and that the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used.

If an individual is sick with Mpox, they should follow CDC guidance on how to isolate and disinfect at home to avoid exposing others.

Testing and Treatment
At this time, the risk to the general public appears to be low. Individuals who believe they were exposed to Mpox or have an illness that could be Mpox should contact their healthcare provider. People without a provider or insurance should visit health.maryland.gov/CSTIP/local to contact their local health department. Healthcare providers who suspect human Mpox in a patient can order testing directly through some commercial laboratories. Providers seeking Mpox virus testing at the MDH laboratory must get health department approval prior to submitting specimens and follow the MDH Laboratories Administration specimen submission guidance. Healthcare providers should educate patients on home isolation while results are pending. Human Mpox vaccine and treatments are not available through routine providers, though the health department can assist with coordinating these resources.

Visit the MDH website for updates and follow the agency at http://www.twitter.com/MDHealthDept and https://www.facebook.com/MDHealthDept.

For MDH Monkeypox resources and information for clinicians visit https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/Pages/monkeypox.aspx#mokeypoxResource