Monkeypox

According to the CDC, Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

The Morgan State University Health Center follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American College Health Association (ACHA) guidliness regarding Monkeypox. Please click on this link for more information about Monkeypox: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about/index.html

Signs and Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms/index.html

According to the CDC, Monkeypox can be spread to anyone through close, personal, and often skin-to-skin contact. For more details, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/if-sick/transmission.html

According to the CDC, currently Monkeypox testing is recommended if you have a rash consistent with Monkeypox. To receive a Monkeypox test, please contact your local Health Department for testing options in your community. For more information regarding When To Get Tested and Where To Get Tested, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/testing/testing-basics.html

Please be advised, the Morgan State University Student Health Center does not administer the Monkeypox Test. 

According to the CDC, Please take the following 3 Steps to prevent getting Monkeypox:

1. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like Monkeypox.
2. Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with Monkeypox has used.
3. Wash your hands often.

For more information regarding the "Monkeypox Prevention Steps" please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention/protect-yourself.html

According to the CDC, if you have been informed that you are a close contact of a person with monkeypox, it’s important to take steps to protect your health and the health of others. Close contacts may be notified by a public health professional from their state, tribal, local, or territorial health department, or directly by someone they had close contact with during the time the person with monkeypox had symptoms. People exposed to monkeypox virus can continue their routine daily activities (for example, go to work or school) if they do not have signs or symptoms of Monkeypox.

Please click on this link for more information about the necessary steps to take if you are in close constact with a person that contracted Monkeypox: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention/close-contact.html

Additionally, please contact the Morgan State University Health Center at 443-885-3236 or healthcenter@morgan.edu immediately if you were in close contact with a person that contracted Monkeypox.

The State of Maryland has published the Monkeypox Vaccine Pre-Registration webpage in response to the spread of the disease. Please click on this link with the Human Monkeypox Vaccine Pre-Registration Form  : https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/Pages/mpx-vax-preregistration.aspx

Additionally, the CDC has published the Monkeypox Vaccine Basics webpage, which provides detailed information regarding Monkeypox Vaccines and Locating a Healthcare facility near you that administers the vaccine. Please click on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/vaccines/index.html

Please be advised, the Morgan State University Student Health Center does not administer the Monkeypox vaccine. 

The Morgan State University Student Health Center follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American College Health Association (ACHA) guidliness regarding Monkeypox. Please click on this link for more information regarding "What to do if you contract Monkeypox?": https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/if-sick/what-to-do.html