Infection Prevention & Control Program

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States.

It’s not clear how the people were exposed to monkeypox, but early data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases. However, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.

CDC is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have travel or specific risk factors for monkeypox and regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

CDC is working with state and local health officials to identify people who may have been in contact with individuals who have tested positive for monkeypox, so they can monitor their health.

On June 16, 2022, MDH reported a presumed human monkeypox virus infection in a Maryland resident.​

• CDC 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Investigation
• CDC Monkeypox Information
• MDH Monkeypox Information
• MDH Shareable Monkeypox Fact Sheet

Human monkeypox typically begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion that appear 5-21 days after the individual was infected.  Within 1-3 days (sometimes longer) of the onset of fever, infected individuals develop a rash that often starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the hands, feet, and genitals.

The illness commonly resolves in 2-4 weeks, but it can be deadly for some individuals.

Transmission of human monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with an infected animal or human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). 

Animal-to-human transmission can occur by bite or scratch, bush meat preparation, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated bedding. 

Human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged face-to-face contact is required. Other human-to-human methods of transmission include direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.

A person is considered infectious from the onset of symptoms and is presumed to remain infectious until lesions have crusted, those crusts have separated, and a fresh layer of healthy skin has formed underneath.

Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox. People who may be at higher risk might include but are not limited to those who:

1. Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox
2. Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)
3. Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing
4. Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)

Individuals with health/medical questions about Monkeypox should first contact their healthcare provider. Individuals may also email the Health Department at askhealth@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6284.

CDC: Social Gatherings, Safer Sex and Monkeypox

Healthcare providers in Howard County who believe they have a patient with Monkeypox should contact the Health Department Outbreaks and Surveillance team by calling 410-313-1412.

• HCHD Clinician Letter: Monkeypox update (June 16, 2022)
• MDH Clinician Letter: Monkeypox update (May 19, 2022)
• Guidelines for Orthopox Specimen Collection and Submission to MDH Lab
• Febrile Rash Submission Form
• CDC Health Alert- Updated Case-finding Guidance: Monkeypox Outbreak—United States, 2022