The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, June 30, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to have an active travel-related Alert – Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) following the report of cases of monkeypox in many countries around the world. As of June 29, 2022, sixty-two cases of monkeypox have been reported in New York City, one case in Sullivan County, four cases in Westchester County, one case in Chemung County, and one in Rockland County. On June 29, 2022, 202 cases of monkeypox were confirmed in Quebec, Canada. There are currently zero cases in Clinton, Franklin, or Essex Counties. 

“Per the Quebec Health Ministry, the first 1 to 2 cases in Canada were related to international travel,” explained Debra Tackett, Director of Health Care Services at the Clinton County Health Department. “Since then the majority of cases in Canada are being transmitted through close contact with infected individuals. 

Monkeypox virus can spread when a person comes into contact with the virus from an infected animal, infected person, or materials contaminated with the virus, such as clothing or bedding. It is mainly spread through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease but can be spread through skin-to-skin contact through body fluids and sores. 

Risk to the general public is low but anyone can contract monkeypox through close personal contact. People who may be at higher risk of exposure to the virus include, but are not limited to, those who: 

• Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox. 

• Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing. 

• Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product that comes from such animals (for example game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.). 

Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their health care provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox. Call ahead before going to a healthcare facility for further instruction. 

“At this time, CCHD wants its residents to be aware of the potential risk of monkeypox,” added Ms. Tackett. “Anyone traveling internationally, including to Canada, should practice the enhanced precautions outlined by the CDC in their recent travel alert.”