What's Going Around

About Monkeypox (MPX)

MPX is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. MPX virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. MPX symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and MPX is rarely fatal. MPX is not related to chickenpox.

Signs and Symptoms:

People with MPX get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals as well as areas like hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. the rash will go through several stages, including scabs before healing. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle/back/head aches, and respiratory symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough).

MPX symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure, and the illness can last 2-3 weeks.

How it Spreads:

MPX can spread to ANYONE through skin-to-skin contact. This can include:

• Direct contact with MPX rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with MPX.

• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with MPX.

• Imamate contact including:

  • Oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) of a person with MPX.

  • Hugging, massage, and kissing.

  • Prolonged face-to-face contact.

  • Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with MPX and that have not been disinfected, such as bedding, towels, fetish gear, and sex toys.

It’s also possible for people to get MPX 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.

Prevention:

1. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like MPX. This includes not toughing the rash or scabs of an individual with MPX, and abstaining from imamate contact with an individual confirmed with MPX (do not kiss, cuddle, or have sex)

2. Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with MPX has used. Do not share eating utensils or cups. Do not handle or touch bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPX.

3. Wash you hands often.

For more information follow this link to CDPHE's MPX webpage, and for MPX resources follow this link

The Grand River Mosquito Control District has found a mosquito testing positive for West Nile Virus here in Mesa County. Here is some information about what West Nile is and how to prevent it.

What is West Nile Virus:

• West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.

• There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

• West Nile is NOT spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching

• In 2021, Colorado had 175 reported human cases of West Nile virus, including 11 deaths. Most human cases are reported in August and September.

Prevention:

• Use insect repellent with one of the following ingredients:

  • DEET, Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US), IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.

• Use air conditioning, if available.

• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.

  • Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.

For even more information on West Nile Virus please follow this link to the CDCs page on WNV

For data on WNV in Colorado follow this link to see the CDPHE's current data.

What is Extreme Heat:

• Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can cause heat related illnesses, which can be life-threatening.

What is Heat Related Illness:

• Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happens when a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down.

• Heat Exhaustion symptoms:

  • Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, fast or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, fainting, nausea, vomiting

  • If you have signs of heat exhaustion, go to a cooler location and cool down by removing excess clothing and taking sips of sports drinks or water. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

• Heat Stroke symptoms:

  • High body temperature (above 103 degrees F), red/dry skin with no sweat, rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion, and/or unconsciousness

  • If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately as Heat Stroke can be life threatening. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.

Prevention Methods:

• Stay cool indoors

  • If you do not have air-conditioning go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

  • Stay on the lowest levels of your home and use the oven/stove less when cooking

  • Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.

  • Take a cool shower or bath

• Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours.

  • If you must be outside during the peak heat hours, rest often in shady areas, and wear a hat, sunscreen, and proper clothing .

• Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Try to drink 1 cup of cool water every 20 minutes.

• Use a Buddy System:

  • When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you.

  • If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

• Stay informed about extreme heat events by checking the weather.