Dear neighbor, 

Monkeypox cases have been increasing locally and nationally over the last couple of weeks. As of August 8, there were 1,960 cases in New York state and 8,934 cases nationwide.  

We wish everybody safety and caution and hope that you find the following resources helpful in answering your questions about monkeypox. 

From the New York State Department of Health, “Although the current strain of monkeypox that is circulating in the U.S. is rarely fatal, symptoms can be extremely painful, and people might have permanent scarring resulting from the rash.”

How do people get monkeypox?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 

“Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions.”

Although the majority of monkeypox cases have been transmitted sexually between gay men, anybody can get monkeypox by the methods listed above.

How do I know if I have monkeypox?

Monkeypox symptoms “usually start within two weeks of exposure, but in some cases they may not appear for up to 21 days,” says the NYC Health website. “Symptoms can last for two to four weeks.The most common symptom is a rash or sores that can look like pimples or blisters.” Flu-like symptoms are often present as well. 

If you start experiencing symptoms, even if they are mild, isolate from others immediately and talk to your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call 311 or search the NYC Health Map. A health provider may order testing to confirm that it is a monkeypox infection.

What do I do if my family or I get monkeypox?

There are some over the counter treatments available for the rashes and lesions, but there is no treatment for monkeypox specifically. The illness lasts approximately two to four weeks after it presents on the body and is contagious until the lesions’ scabs are gone. The NY State website has information about care of monkeypox’s rash and lesions. 

How can I get the monkeypox vaccination?

Information about the monkeypox vaccination, including updates on availability in Westchester County, will be posted here. 

Vaccination information, including availability in New York City, is available here.

Peace and love,

Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16)