Monkeypox: Marin County, Bay Area Officials Urge Awareness

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The summer season began with increased travel and major events and gatherings, and Bay Area health officials urged people to protect themselves against the monkeypox virus, which spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids, such as through crowded settings or sexual contact.

The joint alert from nine health jurisdictions — Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties and the city of Berkeley — came as cases emerge in the Bay Area, the nation and the globe.

The virus causes illness and distinctive rashes and sores that can look like blisters or pimples. Monkeypox is not new, but this is the first time the virus has spread in so many countries at once.

There were 39 cases of monkeypox confirmed in California as of Tuesday. No cases of monkeypox were identified in Marin County as of Thursday, but several cases have been reported in neighboring Bay Area counties, including three confirmed cases in Alameda County, one probable case in Santa Clara County and at least five probable cases in San Francisco.

Most cases of monkeypox resolve on their own, although they can be serious, health officials said. The illness often begins with flu-like symptoms before the emergence of a rash and may last for two to four weeks. Post-exposure vaccination is available through health care providers.

Unlike COVID-19, which spreads easily through the air, monkeypox carries a low risk to the general public unless people engage in high-risk behaviors. Having sex with multiple partners can increase a person’s risk of becoming infected when monkeypox is spreading in the community, Bay Area health officials said.

"Be aware of crowded, indoor spaces where people have close skin-to-skin contact, sex, kissing, and close breathing," officials said. "The virus can also be spread through shared clothing or bedding."

Many of the cases currently appearing are within networks of self-identified gay and bisexual men, trans people and men who have sex with men, health officials said. People in such networks are currently at higher risk, though people of any sexual orientation or gender identity can become infected and spread monkeypox.

Bay Area health officials urged the media, government officials and the community at large to avoid stigmatizing a particular group or person because of monkeypox, but rather to support those at highest risk and keep others from becoming complacent.

"Monkeypox is not common in the Bay Area. By being mindful now about how to protect ourselves and each other, we can keep it that way," said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County health officer. "We are working closely with the state, neighboring counties and our community health care providers to keep the public informed about how to stay safe and what to do if they have symptoms or believe they may have been exposed."

Other contagious illnesses can cause rash or skin lesions, health officials said. For example, syphilis and herpes are much more common than monkeypox, can look similar and should be treated as well.

Bay Area Health Officials Offered The Following Advice

How To Protect Yourself

• Consider covering exposed skin in dense, indoor crowds.
• Don’t share bedding or clothing with others when possible.
• Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent rashes or sores.
• Stay aware if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks.

How To Protect Others

If you have symptoms, particularly a rash consistent with monkeypox, or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox, do the following.

• Stay home if you are feeling sick.
• Contact a health care provider as soon as possible for an evaluation.
• Avoid skin-to-skin or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has been completed.
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing.
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing.
• Wear a well-fitted mask.
• If you are contacted by public health officials, answer their confidential questions to help protect others who may have been exposed.

More Information About Monkeypox

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• California Department of Public Health.
• Social gatherings and safer sex from the CDC.