On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox virus a public health emergency of international concern. Earlier last week, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in California, and County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher did the same in San Diego County. And last Friday, U.S. Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra announced a public health emergency nationwide. It is important to stay alert about any emerging public health concerns.
Monkeypox is less transmissible than other viruses (e.g. smallpox, chickenpox, measles or COVID-19) because it requires the individual to have symptoms and direct and close contact with lesions or bodily fluids. To a lesser extent, monkeypox can be transmitted through respiratory secretions or objects that have had contact with lesion crusts or bodily fluids. The illness typically resolves within two to four weeks but can cause severe pain, hospitalization, long-term symptoms and, in rare cases, death. Please review information for the UC community about the monkeypox virus online for more details.
UC San Diego Health, working in partnership with local public health departments, continues to monitor the situation closely and is taking steps to help ensure the health and safety of the campus community. We are implementing our infection control and care plans, including working with our campus partners for student isolation space and support services as needed. We are advocating for and working with the California Department of Public Health to receive vaccines and antiviral treatments for patients, students and staff as needed.
Antivirals and vaccines are currently very limited nationally but are expected to increase over the next few months. As supplies become more available, we also hope to offer pre-exposure vaccination to students who meet high-risk criteria by public health guidelines.
If you have had an exposure, have symptoms you are concerned about, or otherwise need to speak with someone about your risk, you should reach out to your primary care provider.
Students who are at risk of exposure to monkeypox and have developed skin lesions consistent with monkeypox should isolate from others and contact Student Health Services (SHS) at (858) 534-3300 or send a message through Ask-A-Nurse via MyStudentChart to speak with a nurse to arrange to be seen in the SHS Urgent Care. Student Health Services is working with UC San Diego Health and San Diego County Public Health regarding access to the vaccine. For now, students can call 211 for resources from San Diego County.
Please continue to look out for each other and continue to show kindness and support to all members of our campus community.
