Monkeypox: San Mateo County, Bay Area Officials Urge Awareness

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — As the summer season begins with increased travel and major events and gatherings, Bay Area health officials urged people to protect themselves against the monkeypox virus, which spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids, such as through crowded settings or sexual contact.

The joint alert from nine health jurisdictions — Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties and the city of Berkeley — comes as cases, which appear on people as distinctive rashes and sores that can look like blisters or pimples, continue to emerge in the Bay Area, the nation and the globe. Monkeypox is not new, but this is the first time this virus has spread in so many countries at once.

There were 39 cases of monkeypox confirmed in California as of Tuesday. No cases of monkeypox had been identified in San Mateo County as of Thursday, but several cases have been reported in neighboring Bay Area counties, including three confirmed cases in Alameda County, one probable case in Santa Clara County, and at least five probable cases in San Francisco.

Most cases of monkeypox resolve on their own, although they can be serious, health officials said. The illness often begins with flu-like symptoms before the emergence of a rash and may last for 2-4 weeks. Post-exposure vaccination is available through healthcare providers.

Unlike COVID-19 which spreads easily through the air, the risk of monkeypox to the general public is currently low unless they engage in higher-risk behaviors. Having sex with multiple sex partners can increase a person’s risk of becoming infected when monkeypox is spreading in the community, Bay Area health officials said. People should be aware of crowded, indoor spaces where people have close skin-to-skin contact, sex, kissing, and close breathing. The virus can also be spread through shared clothing or bedding.

"Even with the low public risk of monkeypox, it’s important to be aware of the signs of infection,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County health officer. "Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay home and contact their health care provider right away.”

Many of the cases currently appearing are within networks of self-identified gay and bisexual men, trans people, and men who have sex with men, health officials said. People in these networks are currently at higher risk, though people of any sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected and spread monkeypox.

Bay Area health officials urged the media, government officials and the community at large to avoid stigmatizing a particular group or person for monkeypox, but rather support those at highest risk and keep others from becoming complacent.

There are other contagious illnesses that can cause rash or skin lesions, health officials said. For example, syphilis and herpes are much more common than monkeypox, can look similar, and should be treated, too.

Bay Area health officials offered the following information.

How to protect yourself:

• Consider covering exposed skin in dense, indoor crowds
• Don’t share bedding or clothing with others when possible
• Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent rashes or sores
• Stay aware if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks

How to protect others:

If you have symptoms, particularly a rash consistent with monkeypox, or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick
• Contact a health care provider as soon as possible for an evaluation
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has been completed
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
• Wear a well-fitted mask
• If you are contacted by public health officials, answer their confidential questions to help protect others who may have been exposed

For more information about monkeypox:

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
• Social gatherings and safer sex from the CDC