DOVER, DE (July 21, 2022) ­– The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing the state’s second and third cases of the monkeypox virus (MPX). Both cases are considered probable pending confirmatory testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This week, DPH received test results showing that a 46-year-old Sussex County man tested positive for MPX. The patient did not report any travel, and first reported symptoms on July 18. DPH is working to contact the patient to inform them about treatment options and interview them to obtain a list of possible contacts.

Additionally, DPH received test results this week showing that a 25-year-old Kent County man tested positive for MPX. The patient did not report any travel, and first reported symptoms on July 14. The patient has been advised to self-isolate until lesions have fallen off and new skin appears. 

“The overall risk to the public is low and remains low,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “MPX is transmitted through close intimate contact with individuals who have rashes or flu-like symptoms. We urge people to educate themselves about this rare disease, including how it is spread, and to help prevent exposure. DPH will continue to work with medical providers to screen and identify individuals for MPX testing. And we will prioritize our limited supply of vaccine for people who have been exposed to MPX ​for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).”

Beginning July 21, DPH will operate a hotline for individuals with specific concerns because of symptoms or possible exposure. The hotline number is 866-408-1899 and the number will operate with the following hours: 

• Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for the monkeypox virus infection​; however, antivirals, can be prescribed. DPH has received a limited supply of the vaccine, which needs to be given in two doses 28 days apart. Those who are at the highest risk of exposure to the virus include:

• People who have been identified as a contact of someone with MPX
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past two weeks was diagnosed with MPX
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past two weeks in an area with known MPX

Until spring 2022, MPX cases were rare in the United States. Today, there are more than 2,300 cases nationwide, with Delaware announcing its first case on July 12, 2022, involving a 41-year-old New Castle County patient.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of MPX are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Most people who contract MPX will develop a rash, and some will develop flu-like symptoms beforehand. The flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they usually will develop a rash one to four days later.

If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms associated with MPX you should immediately:

• Contact your health care provider and discuss your symptoms and concerns.
• Self-isolate until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
• Avoid being intimate with others.
• Make a list of your close and intimate contacts in the last 21 days.

To prevent infection with MPX:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like MPX.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with MPX.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with MPX.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with MPX.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPX.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

To learn more about MPX management and prevention programs and resources, visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/epi/emerginginfectiousdiseases.html.

 

 

DOVER — The Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting two more flu-related deaths that occurred during the last two weeks of February, bringing the 2017-2018 season death total to 30. This number breaks the previous single-season record of 28 flu-related deaths, set in 2014-2015. The deceased were both females, 83 and 84 years old, from New Castle and Kent counties, respectively. Both had multiple underlying health conditions.

The total number of flu cases in Delaware for the season is now at 7,071, also breaking the previous record of 4,554, set in the 2016-2017 season. These numbers only include laboratory-confirmed flu cases and the actual number of flu cases in the state is likely much higher. While overall numbers are at an all-time high, the number of weekly cases has dropped for the second week in a row. There were 381 lab-confirmed flu cases for the week ending March 3, the lowest number of confirmed flu cases in a week since the week ending January 20 when there were 375 confirmed cases. Hospitals and walk-in health clinics are also reporting a drop in patients with influenza-like illnesses.

“We are terribly saddened to learn of even more deaths this flu season,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We’ve never seen a flu season this severe before and hope to never see one again. It’s important for everyone to remember that flu continues to circulate in Delaware, and to keep practicing vital prevention measures such as social distancing and frequent hand washing.”

Social distancing means that if you are sick, do not go to school, work, or other social functions until you are fever-free (temperature less than 100 degrees F; 37.8 degrees C) for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. You should wash your hands frequently and sneeze or cough into a tissue which you immediately dispose of. If you don’t have a tissue available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow.

DPH continues to emphasize the importance of calling your primary care provider at the first sign of illness, and taking antivirals if prescribed. Delawareans are reminded to first go to either your physician or a walk-in clinic rather than the emergency room when symptoms are non-life threatening. People who are extremely ill with symptoms such as trouble breathing, bluish skin color, fever with a rash, dizziness, or severe or persistent vomiting should seek out immediate medical help.

Although the overall number of flu cases have gone down, DPH reminds Delawareans that as long as the flu virus is circulating in the community, there is still time to get a flu shot. DPH will be offering free flu vaccines on March 13, 2018, at the Pyle State Service Center, 34314 Pyle Center Road, Frankford, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. DPH also offers ongoing free flu shots at five State Service Centers. For more information about free flu clinics, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html. To shorten your wait time, you can complete the vaccination form found at the bottom of the webpage and bring it with you.

For more information about flu surveillance in Delaware, read the weekly flu report at http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/epi/influenzawkly.html. For general information about the flu, visit http://flu.Delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.