Monkeypox spread slows in Allegheny County
Experts still encourage precautions
Monkeypox case counts for Allegheny County are now at 56, with 28 new cases since July 31. While the virus is not currently spreading at the rate some experts expected, there’s still reason to take precautions.
On Wednesday, the University of Pittsburgh announced a Pitt student had tested positive for the virus. The student is recovering in isolation, according to Jay Darr, associate dean of students for wellness. The student’s close contacts have also been notified.
Dr. Kristen Mertz, the Allegheny County Health Department’s medical epidemiologist, said in an email Thursday that the Health Department “continues to monitor and respond to the monkeypox outbreak as it evolves. Testing is widely available throughout the county and we encourage anyone who develops sores or a rash after close contact with someone who may have monkeypox to get tested.”
She added, “Those that are eligible to be vaccinated can do so at six locations in the area, including the ACHD’s Immunization Clinic. Testing and vaccination are key to keeping the monkeypox virus in check.”
Monkeypox is a virus within the same family as smallpox that causes rashes and lesions on the skin. Other symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes. While monkeypox is rarely fatal, lesions can be painful and lead to complications in some circumstances, such as if the lesion is near the eye or in the mouth.
If you think you have been exposed to monkeypox, tests are available at most health care facilities, as well as the Allegheny County Health Department’s Public Health Clinic at 1908 Wylie Ave. at Blakely Center. Tests at the Public Health Clinic are free and walk-ins are accepted.
Dr. Cassandra Oehler, a physician at Allegheny Health Network’s Positive Health Clinic, said the disease can present in a
number of ways, and that if the presentation seems classic enough, the clinic is treating without testing to offer pain relief to patients with lesions.
The report of the largest number of local cases in one week — 16 — came in the week of July 24 to 30. But while case counts soared in some other parts of the country, leading the Food and Drug Administration to authorize a strategy for stretching limited supplies of the
Jynneos vaccine for the disease, the numbers have stayed relatively low in Western Pennsylvania, with seven cases reported in Allegheny County last week and one so far this week. Allegheny County regularly posts updates on its website.
Right now, the vaccine is recommended for people who have been exposed to a positive case or think they have, for sex workers, people taking the HIV medication PrEP or anyone who has had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks. Visit the Pennsylvania
Department of Health’s website for the full list of eligibility requirements.
Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with the sores and with prolonged physical contact, sometimes through sex. Protecting yourself means being cognizant of those you have close contact with, not sharing beverages, linens or towels and getting tested if you believe you have been exposed. While monkeypox is not airborne like COVID-19, experts have suggested avoiding large crowds where skin-to-skin contact may be inevitable if you have monkeypox.
“If you think you have been exposed, we can help,” said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at UPMC and a professor at Pitt’s School of Medicine.
Dr. Stacy Lane, founder of the Central Outreach Wellness Center, an LGBTQ health center on the North Shore, said the Allegheny County Health Department has been distributing both the Jynneos vaccine and an antiviral treatment for monkeypox called TPoxx. With these tools, Central Outreach has been treating patients for monkeypox since the first case was reported in the county in late June.
Dr. Lane said tight-fitting masks are protective and that Allegheny County residents should act accordingly. “We want to control [the spread] but not be fearful. This isn’t as lethal as AIDS, but it is reminiscent for many,” she said.