Monkeypox Advisory

August 2, 2022

Dear Rutgers Community Members:

Since early May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been carefully monitoring an outbreak of monkeypox in several countries that don’t normally report the presence of monkeypox, including the United States.

On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency. Especially given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO action prompts us to send this informational email, so our Rutgers community more clearly understands the true, current risks from monkeypox.

Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is not passed primarily via a respiratory route, and is not nearly as contagious. Monkeypox is a virus, like smallpox. It is spread through close, intimate contact with an infected person, typically skin-to-skin. However, the severity is much less than that of smallpox. To date, monkeypox, which has a very low case fatality rate, has caused no deaths in the United States.

The virus can affect anyone. However, at present time, the outbreak is placing undue burden on gay and bisexual men, who also may be facing heightened stigma due to this virus. The University remains committed to protecting the physical and psychological health of all its constituents and populations.

Monkeypox is a legitimate public health issue. Fortunately, monkeypox testing already exists, and antiviral treatment options also already exist for monkeypox patients. Moreover, there is a safe and effective vaccine for monkeypox. The U.S is making vaccines more widely available for those at high risk of severe illness, and can even be given within the first few days after exposure.

Common symptoms of monkeypox include flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion) and a painful or itchy rash that can look like pimples or blisters. It is most contagious at the rash state. Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, which can take several weeks.

How to Stay Safe 

If you experience symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, muscle pain, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, and/or blistering rash, please stay home and contact your health care provider for testing and treatment options. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who are sick or have a rash that looks like monkeypox.

At this time, there is no need to take special precautions to avoid monkeypox unless you experience symptoms. 

For anyone who may be highly concerned about potential exposure, vaccination is being rolled out to those at high risk by the NJ Department of Health.

Rutgers will continue to monitor and report on developments of monkeypox. Additional information is also available on the CDC website. 

The Rutgers School of Public Health is also holding a webinar at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, during which experts and community leaders will be available to answer questions.

Wishing you good health.

Sincerely,

Vicente Gracias, MD
Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs, RBHS
Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University

Brian L. Strom, MD, MPH
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Rutgers University