North Central Health District

Mpox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread person-to-person through:

• Direct Contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids​
• Respiratory secretions/droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex​
• Touching items, like clothes or bedding, that touch infectious rashes or body fluids
• A pregnant mother to the fetus through the placenta​​

Mpox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed (patients are to remain on isolation until a fresh layer of skin forms). People who do not have mpox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others. Currently, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

It’s also possible for people to get monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and mpox is rarely fatal. Symptoms are similar to a variety of illnesses and can include:

• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Exhaustion

A major symptom of mpox is the associated rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, in the mouth and on other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. The rash goes through stages before healing completely. To see examples of the rash, visit CDC’s mpox symptoms page.

Symptoms usually last 2 – 4 weeks, but the time can vary based on other factors. Severity of illness can depend on factors including the health of the individual, the route of exposure, any simultaneous illnesses or chronic medical conditions and the strain of the virus.

While severe illness and death is rare in most cases, children have a higher risk of severe outcomes based on previous outbreaks of mpox.

Protect Yourself

You can take steps to protect against the virus:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
  • 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.
• In Central and West Africa, avoid contact with animals that can spread mpox virus, usually rodents and primates. Also, avoid sick or dead animals, as well as bedding or other materials they have touched.

Protect Others

You can help reduce the risk of mpox. If you have symptoms of mpox:

• Isolate at home
• If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible.

Currently, vaccine supply is limited across the country and every state is awaiting more vaccine allocations from our federal agencies. At this time, mpox vaccination is available at two North Central Health District county health departments by appointment:

• Houston County Health Department: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Baldwin County Health Department: Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

To register for mpox vaccination at either location, visit DPH’s Vaccination Appointment website or call the Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at (888) 457-0186. The scheduling tool allows you to choose a first or second dose of Jynneos™ mpox vaccine from a dropdown menu. Because mpox vaccine supply remains limited, you will be asked to answer a series of questions that help DPH prioritize vaccine to individuals who may have been exposed to mpox. The questions follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administering mpox vaccine.

CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to mpox, including:

• Persons of any gender identity or sexual orientation with any of the following:
  • Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners with men who have sex with men in the last 14 days
  • Have had skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons who have had a rash or are suspected of having mpox in the last 14 days.
  • Have had skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons at large venues or events in the past 14 days.
  • Have engaged in commercial and/or transactional sex in the past 14 days (e.g., sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs)
  • Are HIV positive, or on HIV PrEP, or diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last 90 days.