The number of cumulative cases of monkeypox has more than doubled in Los Angeles County in the past two weeks as local officials try to better track the virus and expand vaccination campaigns in the most vulnerable communities.
There have been
1,105 cases reported countywide
as of Friday, according to data from the Department of Public Health (which includes Long Beach and Pasadena).
Nearly half of those infected in Los Angeles,
46%, are between the ages of 30 and 39
.
Of the rest, 23% are between 18 and 29 and 21% between 40 and 49. While 98% are men and 82% identify as LGBQ+, according to official data.
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The disease is characterized by symptoms such as skin reactions and lesions, which may look like pimples, bumps, or blisters, and is spread primarily through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with these lesions, which may be in hard-to-see or confused places with other skin problems.
Lesions may first appear in the genital area and rectum before spreading to other parts of the body.
In recent months, multiple myths and hoaxes have spread, and experts have had to clarify that although more cases are observed in men who have sex with men, anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can become infected.
Some people may also confuse the first lesions with other infections such as scabies or herpes.
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Among all racial and ethnic groups,
Latinos account for 38% of cases
.
Although this number seems high, it must be taken into account that Hispanics represent 49% of the population, according to Census data.
Of the rest of those infected, 32% identify as white, 12% as black or African-American, 7% as American Indian or Alaska Native, and 4% as Asian.
“Although cases are increasing in Los Angeles County, the risk of infection in the general population remains very low,” Dr. Muntu Davis, a county health officer, said during a briefing Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times. .
The first cases of this outbreak were detected in May 2022. Until the beginning of August, almost 30,000 were reported in 88 countries around the world, and 7,510 of them in the United States, which declared the disease a public health emergency in August, when 6,600 cases were exceeded throughout the country.
People register to receive a monkeypox vaccine at a new monkeypox walk-in vaccination site at Barnsdall Art Park on Tuesday, August 9, 2022 in Hollywood, CA.Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Image
The disease can be quite painful, but it is rarely fatal: Globally, there have been five deaths in the outbreak, none of which have been in the United States.
A quarter of the cases in the country have been detected in New York, which declared a state of emergency at the end of July.
Later, California and Illinois followed.
Two doses to deal with the virus
There are vaccines against this disease and prevention measures against COVID-19 also work.
Los Angeles County has reported receiving 72,190 doses of smallpox vaccine from the federal government in response to the outbreak.
Most of these doses have already been distributed at public and community or hospital vaccination sites.
More than 41,150 were administered as of Friday.
Michael Harper, who recently recovered from the virus, described the symptoms as mild.
“He had a fever of 104°.
That was the worst," Harper told local network KLTA.
Although he received the vaccine, and he thinks that helped.
Others haven't been so lucky: Those who couldn't get the vaccine have described painful lesions on their faces, hands, rectum and genitals.
The vaccine consists of two doses.
People are eligible for their second injection 28 days after the first and are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second.
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People eligible for the vaccine in Los Angeles County include gay or bisexual men and transgender people who have had multiple or anonymous sexual partners in the past 14 days.
Immunocompromised residents, including those with advanced or controlled HIV infection, are given priority for immunization.
Data from campaigns conducted in Africa suggest that the Jynneos vaccine is at least 85% effective in preventing smallpox.
Since it is not 100% effective, health officials still recommend taking steps to lower the risk of infection.
If there is a contagion, however, "hopefully, it will make the infection less severe," Davis said.
What wastewater tells us
Wastewater testing, which continues to be useful in estimating the spread of the coronavirus, is now also being used to track monkeypox.
In late June, about a month after California's first case was confirmed, smallpox DNA was detected in sewage in San Francisco, according to the WastewaterSCAN coalition, a group of scientists that has been analyzing wastewater for the virus. coronavirus since 2020. It has also been detected in wastewater in Los Angeles County.
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What is recommended before an infection
The California Department of Public Health released updated guidance this week recommending that people with a confirmed or suspected case of monkeypox should isolate at home until the infection has been ruled out or their lesions have fully healed, formed a new layer of skin and have been free of other symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Residents can resume activities, on a limited and lower risk basis, if they have been free of fever, respiratory symptoms, or new lesions for at least 48 hours and when any lesions, such as those on the face, are fully healed.
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Otherwise, residents would need to bandage or cover any unhealed injuries, wear a properly fitting mask when around others;
and avoid crowded environments, share towels or personal items, and avoid direct skin-to-skin contact.
There are also hygiene and personal distance recommendations similar to those of COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus.
