The Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) has confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Durham County. The individual is currently isolating, and close contacts have been notified. To protect patient privacy, no additional information about this individual will be shared.

Nearly 900 cases of monkeypox have been identified in the United States. DCoDPH continues to work closely with state and national partners to monitor the current national outbreak and respond within Durham County.

“We have been working with the state and the CDC to track the spread of monkeypox for several weeks now, and we have been prepared to respond upon confirming our first case here in Durham,” said Durham County Health Director Rod Jenkins. “Our team was able to act quickly and complete contact tracing within hours of being notified of the case, and we’re glad to be able to not only confirm this individual is in isolation, but also to offer vaccination to their close contacts.”

 

Monkeypox vaccines

DCoDPH is currently offering appointments for individuals to receive Jynneos, a vaccine to prevent monkeypox illness or lead to less severe symptoms in individuals recently exposed to monkeypox, if they meet one of the following eligibility criteria (NOTE: These criteria have been updated as of July 13, 2022. Click here for the updated criteria)

• People who have been in close physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox
• Men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days in either a venue where monkeypox was present or in an area where the virus is spreading. Currently, this includes several locations in Europe and parts of California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York and Texas (NOTE: These criteria have been updated as of July 13, 2022. Click here for the updated criteria.)

Because of limited vaccine supply, these eligibility criteria, prioritizing individuals with known or suspected exposure to monkeypox, are currently in place for all monkeypox vaccinations in the state of North Carolina. Eligible individuals may call the DCoDPH resource line at 919-560-9217 to request vaccination if they meet one of these criteria.

 

About monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically involves flu-like symptoms, swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash that includes bumps that are initially filled with fluid before scabbing over. According to the CDC, symptoms include:

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

The CDC recommends the following practices to protect yourself from monkeypox:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Anyone can get monkeypox. If you have an unexplained rash, sores or other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Keep the rash covered and avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been evaluated by a medical provider.

 

For more information on monkeypox, visit the CDC links below:

Signs and Symptoms

How it Spreads

Monkeypox Facts for People Who are Sexually Active