July 29, 2022

Second Kitsap monkeypox case reported; what to know about monkeypox vaccination

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — A second case of monkeypox in a Kitsap resident was reported Thursday.

The resident, an adult male, was tested and confirmed as a case of monkeypox. Public health officials are working to notify people who were in close contact with the case and offer vaccination to any contacts who are at high risk for infection. 

The United States is experiencing a monkeypox outbreak this year. More than 100 cases of monkeypox have been identified in Washington since May, with the majority of cases reported in King County. The first Kitsap case was announced earlier this week. 

Monkeypox most often spreads through close, physical contact with an infected person who has symptoms. Symptoms include a rash with fluid-filled bumps or sores, which can appear anywhere on the body, sometimes causing intense pain. Many cases experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, aches and swollen glands.

Most people who have monkeypox recover in two to four weeks. Monkeypox can cause severe illness, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

If you experience symptoms of monkeypox — especially a rash or sores — avoid close contact with other people and call a healthcare provider. If you have had close contact with a person who has monkeypox, call Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235. 

Monkeypox vaccination is currently limited to people who have had close contact with monkeypox cases. Vaccination is not recommended or available for the general public. See the explainer below for more information. 

Kitsap Public Health District has asked local healthcare providers to seek testing for individuals who have symptoms of monkeypox and report possible cases to public health. Updates on future monkeypox cases in Kitsap County will be posted at kitsappublichealth.org.

MONKEYPOX RESOURCES Click here to download our printable monkeypox fact sheet. You can find more information and updates on these websites:  CDC  Washington State Department of Health Kitsap Public Health District

What to know about monkeypox vaccination:

The same vaccine used to prevent smallpox has been approved to prevent monkeypox. However, monkeypox vaccination is not currently recommended or available for the general public. Here is what to know about monkeypox vaccination:

Vaccine supplies are limited

• To prevent illness and help stop the spread of monkeypox virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced plans to distribute a vaccine called JYNNEOS in the United States. 
  
  
• The Washington state has received a limited supply of vaccine and has distributed doses to local health departments in counties affected by monkeypox. Most of the doses have been sent to King County, where more then 90 monkeypox cases have been reported. 
  
  
• Kitsap Public Health has received a very small number of vaccine doses to administer to people who have been in close contact with monkeypox cases and are at high risk for infection. We are currently not offering monkeypox vaccination to the public, including healthcare providers, unless they are close contacts of cases. 

More vaccine shipments are expected

• We have been informed by state and federal partners that additional monkeypox vaccine shipments are expected by late August. Vaccination could be offered to additional high-risk groups as supplies increase. 
  
  
•  We do not know yet how much vaccine our state will receive, or how much will be allocated to our county. We will share updates on our website information becomes available.
   
• We are asking local healthcare providers to consider administering monkeypox vaccine and treatments as supplies become available. 

Take steps to protect your health and prevent monkeypox

• It will take time for monkeypox vaccination to become widely available, but everyone can take steps to prevent getting and spreading monkeypox: 
  
  
  • Avoid close physical contact with anyone who has monkeypox or monkeypox symptoms, especially a rash or sores. 
  • Talk to sexual partners about their health and monkeypox symptoms. Limiting the number of sexual partners you have and avoiding gatherings with skin-to-skin contact can help reduce your risk.
  • If you have symptoms of monkeypox, call a healthcare provider and avoid close contact with other people. If you are a close contact of a person with monkeypox, call Kitsap Public Health District at 360-728-2235. 
  • Learn more about monkeypox prevention. 

CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org