California declared state of emergency for monkeypox. What does that mean for SLO County?

Days after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over monkeypox, San Luis Obispo County has yet to be impacted by the virus.

“At this point, we do not have any cases reported locally,” county Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said Tuesday. “I think it’s inevitable we will at some point, but we’re keeping our ear to the ground on it.”

Monkeypox typically starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by rashes, sores and bumps that look like pimples, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Most people with monkeypox will develop the rashes and sores characteristic of the virus.

The state health department said monkeypox is similar to smallpox, except it is far less lethal and less contagious.

Borenstein said she isn’t too surprised that there haven’t been any monkeypox cases reported in SLO County yet, noting that it took a bit longer for COVID-19 to reach the Central Coast as well.

“We tend to be a little bit more isolated (and have a) smaller population,” she said. “Far and away the majority of cases in California are in (Los Angeles) and San Francisco. Many jurisdictions do not have any cases at this point.”

Despite the state of emergency, the risk of contracting monkeypox to the general public remains relatively low, experts said.

Who can get monkeypox vaccine in SLO County?

Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is not a novel virus, and an existing vaccine can be used to protect against the disease, according to the state health department.

The vaccine can be administered shortly before or after exposure and is part of a two-dose vaccine series, the state health department said.

“In accordance with state and national guidance, SLO County’s initial small allocation of vaccine will be prioritized for people who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for monkeypox, and for laboratory workers who regularly handle the virus,” according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department’s website.

These restrictions are in place because Public Health has “very, very little vaccines,” Borenstein said.

The county agency was allocated an extremely small supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine — about 20 doses, Borenstein said.

Roughly 10 of those doses are still available for priority populations, she said.

Nearby Santa Barbara County received a shipment of 40 monkeypox vaccines and should be receiving more later this summer, Noozhawk reported.

The monkeypox vaccines in California came from the federal Strategic National Stockpile, according to the state health department.

“We have no assurances at this point about if or when we’re gonna get more,” Borenstein said. “We’re told the manufacturer is trying to work as diligently as possible to ramp up production.”

Borenstein said she got word Tuesday that SLO County was skipped over for the August monkeypox vaccine distribution. The soonest the agency might receive more monkeypox vaccines is September or October, she said.

Borenstein said she understands that “people are frustrated (and) want to have it for preventive reasons.”

“We just ask people to be patient,” she said. “There’s a lot of anxiety, particularly in the gay community about, why they haven’t been offered vaccine. And the simple answer is there’s just not enough to go around.”

How many monkeypox cases reported in California?

California had 1,135 reported monkeypox cases as of Wednesday morning.

The data show the majority of cases have been reported in the urban cities in the state with 400 cases reported in Los Angeles and 368 cases reported in San Francisco as of Wednesday.

Roughly 91% of the people who contracted monkeypox in California self-identify as gay, lesbian or “same-gender loving,” according to state data.

Although the LGBTQ community, particularly men who have sex with men, has been disproportionately impacted by the monkeypox outbreak in 2022, the virus can infect anyone, experts said.

How is monkeypox transmitted?

Although monkeypox in 2022 has emerged primarily among men who have sex with men and people who self-identify as part of the LGBTQ community, the virus can impact anyone regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

“We want to make clear that, yes, there is one population that is much more highly impacted but we don’t want this to be ... considered a sexually transmitted infection,” Borenstein said.

The state health department said monkeypox is mostly transmitted through direct, close contact with infectious sores, scabs and/or body fluids.

The virus can also be transmitted through close, intimate contact, such as hugging, kissing, massage and cuddling and sexual contact, as well as by sharing bedding or towels.

The sores or rash can appear on the genital area and/or on hands, feet, chest and face, the state health department said. Sometimes the rash only appears in one area of the body.

In cities including Sacramento, monkeypox vaccines are being distributed through LGBTQ centers, the Sacramento Bee reported. That city had 52 reported cases of the virus as of Wednesday.

Public Health is teaming up with Gala Pride and Diversity Center in San Luis Obispo to host a monkeypox information session on Zoom on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

People can join via the Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/GalaMonkeypox.

People who have had close personal contact with someone with monkeypox can report the contact and request a vaccine after a conversation with a public health nurse. Call Public Health at 805-781-5500 or email publichealth.contact@co.slo.ca.us.