Monkeypox Update as of August 2, 2022

• In early August, cases were mostly increasing in states that have large cities, like California, New York and Illinois. 
  

• A public state of emergency due to monkeypox was declared mainly to increase funds and personnel, manage vaccine efforts for those at high risk, and to enhance sharing of information and resources. 
  

• The monkeypox virus spreads mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox.
  

• For more information on symptoms of monkeypox and the status of any cases in Santa Barbara County, visit this Public Health Department webpage https://www.countyofsb.org/3404/Monkeypox
  

• The CDC has made an antiviral medication to treat monkeypox which may be considered for people with severe cases of the disease.
  

• There are also a limited number of monkeypox vaccine doses available for people who are at higher risk of being exposed. Sansum Clinic does not have any of this vaccine at this time, but will work with the local public health department to ensure that any high-risk patient who has had a documented exposure would have access to the vaccine. We recommend reaching out to your primary care provider or going to Urgent Care at 215 Pesetas Lane, Santa Barbara, if you believe you may have monkeypox. Urgent Care is open Monday through Sunday, 8:00 am - 7:00 pm.