Mpox

Northern Nevada Public Health is currently monitoring mpox virus activity in Washoe County. With education and knowledge of prevention strategies, we can reduce the risk of spread of the disease. 

• Schedule a mpox vaccine appointment by calling 775-328-2470
• News on mpox in Washoe County
• Mpox FAQs
• For updates, follow our NNPH Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
• Watch the community mpox Town Hall here

Mpox Vaccines

Mpox vaccines in Washoe County are extremely limited. 

Current eligibility:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
• You had a sex partner in the past 2 weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
• You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, or are transgender or nonbinary and in the past 6 months have had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where monkeypox virus transmission is occurring
• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• If you are traveling to a country with a clade I mpox outbreak and anticipate any of the following activities during travel:
  • Sex with a new partner
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade
  • Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., a rave, party, or festival)
• You are at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (e.g., certain people who work in a laboratory or a healthcare facility).

Signs & Symptoms of mpox 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mpox spreads from person to person through close physical contact. Symptoms include:

• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
  • The rash may be painful.
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

If you are showing signs of mpox

Contact your physician or medical provider immediately to get tested for mpox; however, it's advised that you call or email ahead of time.

How mpox Spreads & Prevention

According to the CDC, residents should take the following steps to prevent mpox:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox (See photos here).
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Spread can occur contact with respiratory secretions of positive case.

Facts about mpox

• Mpox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI); however, it can be spread through physical contact during sex.
• Anyone can get mpox.
  • Mpox is a public health concern in Washoe County and it affects all populations. 
  • Mpox can be acquired by all people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. More cases have been reported among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; however, anyone who has close, intimate contact with someone who has mpox is at risk for acquiring mpox.
    • See more information related to mpox and the risks to people who are sexually active.
• Mpox causes a rash and can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
  • This can take several weeks.
• Mpox is completely different than COVID-19. 
  • COVID-19 is mostly spread through breathing in respiratory droplets infected with COVID-19 while mpox is spread through close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have mpox.
• According to the CDC, some mpox cases were reported among people who share a living space with a person who has mpox. 

 

 

Contact Us

For any questions, please email us at mpox@nnph.org. Providers can call 775-328-2447.