Monkeypox spread at two big parties in Los Angeles County, officials say

Los Angeles County officials have reported limited local infections of monkeypox, and in some recent cases, people who attended large-scale events or were infected here were involved. People who haven’t gone out of state.

“There were some things we called” community communication. ” That is, not from travelers or people who went elsewhere and had monkeypox. They actually got monkeypox here in Los Angeles County because it was sent by someone else in Los Angeles County who had monkeypox. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health Said At this week’s supervisory board.

Overall, there were 30 estimates or confirmations Case of monkeypox In LA County as of Thursday. As of last week, no one in the county had been hospitalized or died of the disease.

Meanwhile, the geographical impact of monkeypox outbreaks continues to grow.

Orange county report First estimated case on Wednesday. Public health authorities in Riverside and Santa Clara counties did the same last week.

Here’s what you need to know about the disease and its spread:

Where is the monkeypox in LA County spread?

“The majority of people diagnosed with monkeypox here in LA County were those who attended two very large parties,” Ferrer said. Said this week. “So we gave the attendees of these events a lot of very specific outreach.”

Among humans, monkeypox can be transmitted through persistent skin-to-skin contact with people who have an active rash. In the current outbreak, a rash may be found in or around the genital area and in the anus early in the disease.

Health officials have observed that some recent cases have occurred between men who have sex with men.

But authorities are emphasizing that Anyone You can get or send monkeypox, including family and friends who are caring for the sick. The virus can also be transmitted through shared bedding and clothing. It can also spread by kissing or breathing at a very close distance.

The main mode of infection is through virus-filled lesions of the skin that can be filled with infectious pus. Even if there is no lesion on the skin, such as when there is a lesion in the throat or mouth, it can be transmitted and the virus can be exhaled to a person.

Monkeypox is not as contagious as coronavirus and measles. These can hang in the stagnant air of the room for more than an hour.

What should I do if I am exposed to monkeypox?

Health officials in Los Angeles County are preparing the opportunity to be vaccinated against the disease, hoping that people exposed to the monkeypox virus will avoid the infection, Feller said.

The supply of monkeypox vaccine is limited.County health authorities offer Jynneos vaccination To reach people at higher risk.

What are the authorities doing to increase access to vaccines?

Biden administration on Tuesday Said Federal authorities aim to “expand vaccination of endangered individuals and make testing more convenient for healthcare providers and patients across the country.”

The US Department of Health and Human Services has already vaccinated more than 9,000 times. The government said on Tuesday, “We will allocate 296,000 doses in the coming weeks, of which 56,000 will be allocated immediately.”

“We have begun shipping tests to five commercial laboratories, including some of the largest reference laboratories in the United States, to further enhance monkeypox testing capacity and access,” the US Disease Control Center said last week. ..

What does a monkeypox rash look like in the current outbreak?

Freelance video producer and editor Matt Ford wrote the story Release BuzzFeed provided an overview of monkeypox exposure and infection and posted a photo of the rash. He said his friend tested positive for monkeypox and contacted him on June 17 to inform him that he may have been exposed by skin-to-skin contact.

“Sure enough, I checked myself for spots and noticed some lesions in my underwear zone,” Ford wrote. “The next day, I started to have flu-like severe symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, coughing, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. This lasts for about a week.”

Ford wrote that he was seen by a doctor on June 20, was examined, and the results were sent to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “The lesions in the underwear zone have become more severe and very painful.” The lesions spread to the face and other parts of the body and became very painful, and painkillers were prescribed.