Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Monkeypox symptoms.
Monkeypox has arrived in the District and Northern Virginia, and local health officials are encouraging those who are high risk of getting the unpleasant illness to get informed and look into vaccinations.
The World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency. Unlike coronavirus, monkeypox is not airborne but can survive on surfaces and is most often spread through close physical or intimate contact.
As of Aug. 8, there were 145 cases of monkeypox confirmed in Virginia, according to the Virginia Dept. of Health. This included 26 in Alexandria and 31 in the Fairfax County health district. More than half of cases were among people younger than 40 years old and more than 99% of cases were among men.
According to Alexandria health officials:
The most common symptom is a rash, bumps, or sores – the ‘pox’ part of "monkeypox" virus – also known as MPV – that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
Some people may also have the following symptoms first (or in addition to a rash or sores):
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Symptoms can show up as early as 5 days or as late as 21 days after you were exposed to monkeypox. This is why people who are exposed to monkeypox need to watch carefully for symptoms in the days and weeks afterwards. People with monkeypox are contagious while they have symptoms. Symptoms usually last 2-4 weeks.
Alexandria has a limited supply of vaccine and is also vaccinating people who meet certain eligibility requirements. Interested residents can sign up for a vaccine here.
Fairfax County residents should click here for more information about vaccine eligibility and availability.
