Monkeypox Facts
About monkeypox
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a viral infection primarily spread through prolonged close contact. Monkeypox does not spread easily between people without close contact (e.g., direct physical contact with the infectious rash, including during intimate contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sex).
The risk of contracting this infection is very low for those who have been in casual, rather than close, contact with an infected individual (e.g., being in the same room). No chronic disease and only one death have been linked to this outbreak in the United States at this time; however, the symptoms can be painful and last for several weeks.
Find more information for Higher Education from the CDC
The symptoms
Symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. It is important to note early symptoms of monkeypox are sometimes consistent with a cold, flu or COVID-19 infection. Students, faculty and staff should err on the side of caution if they begin to feel ill and avoid exposing others to illness.
More information
U.S. monkeypox cases are being closely monitored at the state and federal levels. For additional information, Dr. Christopher Ohl, professor of infectious diseases at the WFU School of Medicine, provided answers to common questions.
Campus Monitoring and Future Communications
The University continues to work closely with local infectious disease experts to monitor local conditions and prepare for community cases.
In the event of a positive case among faculty, staff or students, county health officials will conduct contact tracing and notify individuals potentially exposed to the virus through close contact (direct physical contact with the infectious rash). Wake Forest will communicate by email with the entire University if advised by county health officials or infectious disease experts that further guidance or notification is necessary to mitigate the risk of infection.
What to do if you have monkeypox symptoms
For Students
Students with symptoms and/or an active rash consistent with monkeypox should contact Student Health Service, and self-isolate in a separate room away from other people and pets.
Student Health Service will provide additional direction regarding isolation during the recovery period, which differs from protocols used for COVID-19 cases. The recovery period typically lasts 2-4 weeks, which means it may be most convenient and comfortable for students to isolate at home while recovering from the virus. Those unable to travel home for isolation and recovery should contact Residence Life and Housing to make alternative arrangements. The Chaplain’s Emergency Fund may be able to help with financial hardship resulting from illness.
In the event of a confirmed monkeypox infection, Student Health Service will notify the Office of Academic Advising that a student will not be able to participate in in-person academic activities due to illness while maintaining the confidentiality of the student’s condition. Students with a confirmed monkeypox diagnosis should work with their professors to develop an academic plan for their isolation and recovery period.
For Employees
Faculty and staff with monkeypox symptoms should stay home from work and contact their health care provider for testing or other next steps. Employees who test positive should isolate at home, away from others in their household.
Faculty and staff can contact Human Resources at a or 336.758.4700 to discuss available medical leave options, just as they would with any other medical event, such as recovery from surgery or sudden injury. Human Resources will notify supervisors and chairs of employee absence while maintaining confidentiality about the illness.
Some employees may choose to make arrangements to work remotely, if possible, until their isolation period has concluded.
Safeguarding Against Transmission
Monkeypox can be spread outside of sexual interactions and can be contracted by any one. It spreads in four main ways:
- Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids.
- Direct contact with respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
- Direct contact with objects or fabrics that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with monkeypox.
- Being scratched or bitten by an infected animal.
The virus is contagious from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, which can take two to four weeks.
To protect against monkeypox, avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
Other precautions include:
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Vaccination
Vaccines are available to protect against monkeypox, or to reduce the severity of symptoms. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) offers vaccinations for anyone who has had close contact in the past two weeks with someone diagnosed with Monkeypox.
For North Carolina vaccine location information:
- In Forsyth County, call 336-703-3100
- In Mecklenburg County, call 980-314-9400