Norwalk Shares Information, Resources To Prevent Spread Of Monkeypox

NORWALK, CT — On Tuesday, the Norwalk Health Department shared preventive health care information and local resources to help mitigate the spread of monkeypox.

In a news release, city officials said monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Beginning in May, cases of the disease were reported in the U.S. and more than 50 other countries that don't typically report monkeypox.

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, there have been 35 cases of the monkeypox virus in Connecticut as of Monday.

The virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox and symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms but less severe, city officials said. The virus is rarely fatal, but the infection can be painful and long-lasting.

See also: CT Officials Give Update On Monkeypox Situation

• 5 Things To Know About Monkeypox In CT

How to Recognize Symptoms

Monkeypox symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

The illness typically lasts anywhere from two to four weeks. Anyone with symptoms concerned they have monkeypox is encouraged to contact their healthcare provider, who will be able to test and provide treatment and guidance to anyone who has the virus, city officials said.

How Monkeypox Spreads

People can only spread monkeypox when they have symptoms, and they are considered infectious until their rash has healed and a new skin has formed over it, city officials said.

Monkeypox can spread from person to person through:

• Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids.
• Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
• Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched an infected person's infectious rash or body fluids.

Monkeypox Vaccine

To help curb the spread of monkeypox, CT DPH has partnered with 15 health care providers to distribute vaccinations throughout the state, including Circle Care Center in Norwalk.

Circle Care Center and other providers throughout the state can provide the vaccine to eligible individuals, currently defined as Connecticut residents over the age of 18 who also are:

• People who have had confirmed exposure to someone diagnosed with the monkeypox virus.

• Men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary and have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine be given within four days from the date of exposure for the best chance of preventing the onset of the disease, city officials said.

Vaccine supply is limited and appointments are required at all vaccine sites, officials said. To request an appointment at Circle Care Center, click here or call 203-852-9525.

More information and a list of all health care providers across Connecticut administering doses of the monkeypox vaccine can be found at www.circlecarecenter.org/monkeypox-explained.

More information about monkeypox can be found on the CDC monkeypox webpage and the DPH monkeypox webpage.