August 5 Update:

The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is reporting two additional monkeypox cases in Washoe County: both are men, one in his 30s and one in his 40s.

Neither case was hospitalized.

The total number of monkeypox cases in Washoe County is three. The first case was reported July 21.

Members of the general public are invited to attend a monkeypox virus virtual town hall where you can ask questions to subject matter experts at the Washoe County Health District and Northern Nevada HOPES.

Go to this Zoom link to join the town hall.

Questions can be asked by typing them into the chat box and they will be read and answered aloud. The town hall will be recorded and available on our website immediately afterward, www.washoecounty.gov/monkeypox.

For more information and FAQs about monkeypox, go to the Health District website, www.washoecounty.gov/monkeypox.

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Original Story: 

The Washoe County Health District (WCHD) is reporting the first probable case of monkeypox in Washoe County – a man in his 20s with recent domestic travel. The patient is isolating at home and does not require hospitalization.

The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory sent the specimens of the probable case to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation of monkeypox. WCHD has investigated and conducted contact tracing. No additional cases have been identified and no other information is available.

“We advise people to be mindful of the symptoms of monkeypox and contact your medical provider if you develop those symptoms,” said Kevin Dick, District Health Officer in Washoe County. “Our staff is working diligently to prevent future transmission but it’s up to all of us to be aware of monkeypox and take steps to prevent contracting it”

According to the CDC, monkeypox is rare and spreads from person to person through close physical contact. Monkeypox is in the same family as smallpox and is rarely fatal.

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.

Prevention

According to the CDC, residents should take the following steps to prevent 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.

Monkeypox vaccines

The monkeypox vaccine is extremely limited and currently unavailable to the general public in Washoe County. The Health District is working with state and federal partners to obtain additional vaccines. Currently, vaccines are only available for confirmed contacts to a known case and lab personnel who handle specimens.

Monkeypox testing

If you think you have monkeypox, contact your primary care physician or other medical provider to obtain testing. Notify the provider ahead of time before entering the physical office.

According to the CDC, some monkeypox cases were reported among people who share a living space with an infected person and men who have sex with men. See more information related to monkeypox and the risks to people who are sexually active. General monkeypox Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found here.

(Washoe County Health District)