COVINGTON — A student at Mansfield Elementary School in Newton County has tested positive for the monkeypox virus. The Newton County School System was notified of the positive test results on Tuesday. Additionally, a student at Flinthill Elementary School was being tested for suspected monkeypox.
School district officials notified parents at both schools via School Messenger phone Tuesday afternoon that parents of students who have been identified as close contacts according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria will receive individual advice on next steps. A communication has been received. Monkeypox is a reportable disease.
Due to HIPPA and FERPA regulations, the Newton County School System said it cannot release information about individual students.
The school system said it thoroughly cleaned and disinfected classrooms and other areas at both schools on Tuesday to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff. Both schools reopened on Wednesday.
No county-specific monkeypox case numbers have been released, according to Chad Wasdin, communications director for the GNR Public Health Service. State information is updated daily on his website for the Centers for Disease Control. www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.htmlAs of Wednesday, Georgia had 1,240 confirmed cases. He has the highest number of reported cases in men aged 26 to 35, followed by men aged 36 to 45.
“We are working closely with the clinical community to educate them about testing suspected cases and to ensure that precautions are followed,” Wasdin said in a statement.
Monkeypox can cause rashes, bumps, or sores not only on or near the genital or anal area, but also on other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, face, and mouth, according to the state public health department. There is a virus. These wounds can be very painful.
Monkeypox virus can also cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue, sore throat, stuffy nose, and cough.
Monkeypox is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious rashes, scabs, or bodily fluids, such as:
• Respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
• Touching objects (clothes, linens, etc.) that have previously come in contact with infectious rashes or bodily fluids. However, this has not been identified as a common route of transmission in this outbreak or monkeypox generally.
According to DPH, the risk of contracting monkeypox is based on exposure. An individual must be exposed to a sufficient amount of virus to become infected. What is currently known about monkeypox transmission is that sharing bedding and towels with someone infected with monkeypox poses a greater risk than passing through encounters with money, door handles or other environmental surfaces. indicates that it is high.
Most settings where people gather, such as work places, schools, grocery stores, petrol stations, and public transport, are not considered high-risk settings for monkeypox infection.
DPH provides the following information on protection against monkeypox infection:
• Avoid close skin contact with someone who has a monkeypox-like rash.
• Do not touch a monkeypox patient’s rashes or scabs.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone who has monkeypox.
• Avoid contact with objects or materials used by monkeypox patients.
• Do not share utensils or cups with someone who has monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch a monkeypox patient’s bedding, towels, or clothing.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Be especially careful before eating, before touching your face, and after using the restroom.
For additional information about monkeypox virus, or information about the monkeypox vaccine, contact your local health department or https://dph.georgia.gov/monkeypox.
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