Title
Receive a presentation from the Health Department regarding monkeypox (MPX).
Presenters: Kristy Michie, Assistant Bureau Chief and Dr. Edward L. Moreno, Health Officer.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health, Housing and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors:
Receive a presentation from the Health Department regarding monkeypox (MPX).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department's Public Health Bureau will provide an oral presentation on the global monkeypox (MPX) outbreak. MPX is a disease caused by infection with an orthopoxvirus. MPX illness often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a blister-like rash that appears a few days later. MPX is primarily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Less commonly, it can be spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact or by touching objects like clothing or linen that previously touched the rash of a person with MPX. JYNNEOS vaccine when administered prior to exposure or shortly after exposure to MPX can prevent illness. While there is no specific treatment for MPX, antiviral drugs developed for use against smallpox, a disease caused by an orthopoxvirus in the same family as MPX, may be used to treat MPX virus infections.
The Public Health Bureau's work supports the Monterey County Health Department 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance public health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. Additionally, this work supports four of the ten essential public health services: 1. Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets; 2. Investigate, diagnose, and address health problems and hazards affecting the population; 3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people...
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