State Reports 3 New Monkeypox Cases on Oʻahu, Shifts Data Reporting Online

The state Department of Health on Thursday, Sept. 8, reported three additional cases of monkeypox.

The three new cases are all Oʻahu residents. That makes a total of 28 cases reported throughout the state since June 3, including three non-residents. DOH continues to conduct contact tracing and follow-up with all reported cases.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is available statewide to residents who had close contact in the past 14 days with a person with known or suspected monkeypox infection and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals with multiple or casual sex partners.

As of Thursday, 2,283 doses of JYNNEOS have been administered in Hawai‘i. The vaccine is a two-dose series administered 28 days apart. Individuals eligible for a second dose are encouraged to make an appointment.

DOH and health care providers in each county who directly reach individuals at higher risk of monkeypox exposure continue to vaccinate eligible individuals. Those eligible for vaccination on the Big Island can make an appointment by contacting Hamakua-Kohala Health at 808-930-2751.

People with monkeypox symptoms, including flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes or new or unexplained rash or sores, should contact their health care provider immediately.

Beginning Thursday, DOH is now primarily report new cases online. Cases will continue to be reported as new information is received.

DOH is also releasing additional data about vaccine administration throughout the state. Vaccination data will be updated on Wednesdays and can be accessed by clicking here.

“As monkeypox cases continue to rise across the country and in Hawaiʻi, DOH will continue to provide updated information to the public,” Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Nathan Tan said in a press release. “It’s critically important to us that we continue to make vaccination available to communities disproportionately impacted by this outbreak — and the data released today will help all of us ensure that vaccine is being distributed equitably.”

The risk to most Hawaiʻi residents remains low. Monkeypox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material or items used by someone with monkeypox. Monkeypox can be spread through large respiratory droplets. These droplets generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged contact is required.

The current cases, nationally and in Hawai‘i, are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, anyone who has close contact with someone with monkeypox is at risk regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.