LIMA — Allen County Public Health has a limited number of monkeypox vaccines available for those who have been exposed or who are at high risk of exposure to the virus that causes monkeypox.
The health department is trying to coordinate vaccinations so doses aren’t wasted, with priority given to those who have been in close contact with a person already diagnosed with monkeypox due to limited supply.
Those at high risk of exposure, such as through sex, may also be eligible.
“There’s five doses that you can get out of (each) vial, so we know we have five individuals who will be here to receive that, so we don’t waste any doses at all,” said Deb Roberts, nursing director with ACPH.
The health department has identified two probable cases of monkeypox in Allen County since July.
Meanwhile, state health officials have confirmed 147 cases of the rare illness in Ohio, the majority of which have been reported in men.
“The Ohio Department of Health has been working closely with local health department partners and healthcare providers to provide monkeypox testing, case investigation, contact tracing and prevention and treatment options,” ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said in a statement Thursday.
“As cases do continue to rise, we want to keep Ohioans informed about this outbreak and what steps they should take to protect themselves. The risk of contracting monkeypox for most Ohioans remains low, as this virus does not easily spread like COVID-19. However, it is important to continue to do all we can to mitigate the spread of the virus and to reduce the burden of illness.”
ODH shared an interactive dashboard Thursday tracking the outbreak, which has already affected 19 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Ohio’s first probable case of monkeypox was discovered in June.
While no monkeypox-related deaths have been reported in Ohio thus far, the illness can cause painful skin lesions. And the infection, which is primarily spread through close contact like kissing or sex, has resulted in nine hospitalizations since June, according to ODH.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at greatest risk of exposure, as they account for the majority of monkeypox cases reported in the outbreak thus far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Still, an online survey published by the CDC on Monday found that half of men who have sex with men had changed their behavior to have fewer sexual partners.
The virus that causes monkeypox can spread through non-sexual contact too, so anyone who has close contact with a person who has monkeypox may also be exposed, according to the CDC.
In those instances, Roberts suggests not sharing personal items while the person is contagious, because towels, bed linens and other materials may become contaminated after coming in contact with an infected person’s rash.
How monkeypox spreads
The virus that causes monkeypox primarily spreads from person to person through close contact like kissing or sexual intercourse. But the virus may also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces (bedding, towels, clothing) or direct contact with skin lesions, which may appear as pimples or blisters.
Anyone who develops a new or unexplained rash should avoid close contact with others until they have been evaluated for monkeypox by a medical provider.
Source: CDC
