By Mary O’KEEFE

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency regarding monkeypox, which will bolster the state’s vaccination efforts in regard to monkeypox.

“Now that the governor has declared a statewide emergency, our County needs to draw down all the support available to accelerate the distribution of vaccines and resources to those at risk and suffering from this terrible disease,” stated Superintendent Kathryn Barger. “I will work to ensure we’re doing so quickly and efficiently. We don’t have any time to waste.”

Monkeypox cases are rising across the country. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden named FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Robert Fenton as the White House National Monkeypox Response coordinator and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis as the White House National Monkeypox Response deputy coordinator.

“Fenton and Daskalakis will lead the Administration’s strategy and operations to combat the current monkeypox outbreak, including equitably increasing the availability of tests, vaccinations and treatments,” according to a White House statement.

“[Monkeypox] is in the smallpox [family],” said Saahir Khan, MD, Ph.D, infectious disease specialist with Keck Medicine at USC. “The name ‘pox’ comes from it causing a rash.”

He added its name is actually a misnomer because it does not come from monkeys but is spread by small rodents in Central Africa.

Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox occurs through direct contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids or contaminated items such as sheets or clothing that have been in contact with fluids.

“[Monkeypox] has existed for decades in Central Africa,” Khan said. “From time to time there would be outbreaks in other areas of the world. In 2003 there was an outbreak in the west with prairie dogs.”

The prairie dogs contracted the disease from rodents from Africa. What is being experienced now, Khan said, is the first worldwide spread of monkeypox.

This disease has a greater ability to transmit through intimate human contact.

In the U.S. the focus has been on the LGBTQ+ community because the initial cases followed superspreader events within that community; however, monkeypox does not discriminate and can infect anyone.

“We are focusing our effort on prevention and contact tracing in the LGBTQ+ community,” Khan said.

There have been many cases in LA County and throughout California. The disease doesn’t usually lead to hospitalization; however, it is “very painful,” he added.

Following exposure, symptoms typically present within seven to 21 days. The symptoms include fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, body aches and fatigue in addition to the rash of bumps and blisters. Most cases last two to four weeks.

Depending on the extent of the disease there can be scarring and other lasting effects but that is not the norm.

It is important to call your doctor if you think you have been exposed or are showing any symptoms, Khan advised.

It is also important to get vaccinated. Vaccines have arrived and the County of Los Angeles Public Health has set up vaccination clinics in targeted areas. The West Hollywood pop-up vaccine clinic appointments that opened on Tuesday quickly filled to capacity.

Khan advises those who are at risk or are concerned about having been in contact with an infected person should contact their primary physician. Those who do not have a physician can call the County’s assistance number 2-1-1.

As of Wednesday there were 431 confirmed cases of monkeypox, which is up from Friday’s numbers of 306.