EUGENE, OR— Lane County Public Health (LCPH) today announced that 4 news cases of Monkeypox have been identified in Lane County residents. These are the first cases news cases of Monkeypox to be identified since September 12th. 

“We have been very fortunate that we have not seen more Monkeypox in our community,” said Lane County Senior Public Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Luedtke. “However, these latest cases clearly demonstrate that it is still present and infecting people, highlighting the need for continued awareness and preventative practices.” 

LCPH Communicable Disease program is conducting case investigations to identify additional individuals who may have been exposed. To date, no epidemiological link between the cases has been identified, indicating a continued presence of Monkeypox in Lane County. 

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Some people have been found to have infection but no symptoms. To date, however, there is no evidence that monkeypox spreads from people with no symptoms. 

People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals or anus and could be on other areas like the 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 of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

   An individual may experience all or only a few symptoms

• Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
• Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
• Others only experience a rash.

   If you have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms...

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
• If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, call LCPH at 541-682-4041
• When you see a healthcare provider, wear a mask, and remind them that this virus is circulating in the area.

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