Hello CM families

With a lot of misinformation circulating about the monkeypox virus, we thought it would be helpful to share the details with everyone to help us stop the spread of rumors and the virus!

Per the Indiana Department of Health’s Monkeypox website,

WHAT IS MONKEYPOX? It is a disease

• Caused by infection with the monkeypox virus
• Characterized by fever and rash/lesions
• Preventable/less severe with vaccination
• IS a global issue
• NOT a disease specific to a demographic/gender identity/racial identity, this disease effects EVERYONE
• It is not a new virus - the first human case of monkeypox was reported in 2003.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

• Incubation period averages 7-14 days (range 5-21 days) with prodrome (early symptoms) of fever, malaise, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, cough
• Lesions begin to develop simultaneously and evolve together through five stages—macular, papular, vesicular, pustular, scabbing
• Appear firm, deep-seated and umbilicated; can appear on palms and soles, often very painful Patients with monkeypox are considered contagious from the onset of any symptoms (including prodromal symptoms before appearance of rash) until all lesions have crusted, the crusts have separated, and a new layer of skin has formed underneath. This usually takes 2-4 weeks but may take longer in some individuals.

HOW IT SPREADS

• Person to person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or bodily fluids
• Respiratory secretions through prolonged face to face contact
• Contaminated porous material such as bedding and clothing.

IF A CHILD PRESENTS WITH A CONCERNING RASH

• Call ahead to the doctor inform of symptoms and confirm provider has supplies for testing
• Take child for an evaluation
• When in doubt, call your local health department for guidance
• Child should isolate until results return, 2-5 day turnaround time for testing

IF YOU ARE A CLOSE CONTACT OF AN INFECTED PERSON

• DO NOT need to quarantine
• Close contacts are asked to monitor for symptoms daily for 21 days after exposure
• Symptoms of concern include:

• Fever ≥100.4°F (38°C)
• Chills
• Swelling of lymph nodes (periauricular, axillary, cervical, or inguinal)
• New skin rash

*Fever and rash occur in nearly all people infected with monkeypox virus.

VACCINE FOR MONKEYPOX

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends postexposure prophylaxis for high or intermediate risk contacts of monkeypox cases. This includes children.
• JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing monkeypox infection. The sooner an exposed person gets the vaccine, the better.
• CDC recommends that the vaccine be given within 4 days from the date of exposure to prevent onset of the disease. If given 4–14 days after the date of exposure, vaccination may reduce the symptoms of disease but may not prevent the disease.

TREATMENT AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN-TPOXX

Many people infected with monkeypox virus have a mild, self-limiting disease course in the absence of specific therapy

-The prognosis for monkeypox depends on multiple factors, such as previous vaccination status, initial health status, concurrent illnesses, and comorbidities, among others

-Children under 8 are considered at high risk

-Tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX, ST-246) is available for the treatment of monkeypox under an investigational new drug (IND) protocol sponsored by the CDC for people with severe disease or at risk for severe disease

-Treatment with TPOXX will be coordinated with the student’s clinician and CDC

For more information, please visit  https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/whats-new.html

Thanks

Paige Boling

Health Services and Curved Desk Support

Community Montessori

812.948.1000 x1105 | pboling@shiningminds.com