2 new monkeypox cases ID’d in Hawai‘i

Two new cases of monkeypox have been reported in Hawai‘i, bringing the total number reported in the islands so far this year to 9.

There have been a total of 53 cases reported in Hawai‘i since June 2022.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health reports one of the new cases was associated with out-of-state exposure. The other is not associated with out-of-state exposure or linked to other prior identified cases which suggests it was locally transmitted.

The risk of infection remains low for most Hawai‘i residents.

Monkeypox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material or items used by someone with the virus.

The infection can be spread through large respiratory droplets, which generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged contact is required.

The cases of clade II monkeypox, 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 of infection, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Those at higher risk of infection should consider getting vaccinated with two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is available statewide.

Two doses of the JYNNEOS given 4 weeks apart is necessary for full protection.

Health care providers in each of the state’s four counties continue to vaccinate high-risk individuals. CVS and Walgreens also now offer the vaccine.

Find vaccine providers here.

Hawaiʻi Island residents can contact Hāmākua-Kohala Health Centers in Honokaʻa at 808-930-2751 or Kumukahi Health + Wellness in Hilo and Kona at 808-982-8800 to find vaccine clinics on the island.

Always ask new partners about their health. If you or your partner feel sick or have new or unexplained rashes or sores, avoid close contact with others until getting checked out by a health care provider.

Don’t share bedding, clothing or toothbrushes with people outside your household. If attending events with lots of direct, skin-to-skin contact, minimizing physical contact and partners can reduce risk.

Monkeypox symptoms include flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes or new or unexplained rashes or sores.

People exhibiting those symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider.

Testing and treatment are available.

Those at higher risk for monkeypox and should consider being vaccinated include:

• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, as well as transgender people who have sex with men.
• People who have multiple or casual sex partners (such as through dating apps) or expect to have this monkeypox risk in the future.
• People who have a sex partner in any of the categories described above.
• Anyone with close contact in the past 14 days with a person known or suspected to be infected with monkeypox.
• Travelers to a country with a clade I monkeypox outbreak.
• Anyone in any of these categories who received only one mpox vaccine dose.

Further information and monkeypox updates can be found online at the Hawai‘i Department of Health website.