Public Health Information

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is currently tracking an outbreak of monkeypox across several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. At this time, the risk of monkeypox in the US is believed to be relatively low. 

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown.

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

How does it spread?

Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through:  

• Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids.
• Respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. 
• Touching items such as clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by someone with monkeypox. 

What are the symptoms to watch for?

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus, and may include: 

• Fever 
• Chills 
• Headache 
• Muscle aches 
• Exhaustion 
• Swollen lymph nodes 
• Clear or pus-filled bumps/Rash

How can I help prevent getting monkeypox?

Anyone in close contact with a person with monkeypox can get it and should take steps to protect themselves.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  
• Avoid close contact with and handling linens of people with monkeypox. 
• Avoid enclosed spaces where there is intimate or sexual contact. 
• Avoid parties or clubs where attendees wear minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, skin-to-skin contact.  

What should I do if I am diagnosed with monkeypox?

Always follow the discharge instructions your received from your medical provider. The CDC guidance for isolation recommends isolating with a private bedroom and bathroom until the lesions have healed with scabs falling off.  Isolation may last over three to four weeks.

If you feel sick or have unexplained rashes, or you’re concerned about a potential or known exposure: 

• Get checked. Contact Health Services at 828-227-7640 or your personal medical provider and let them know if you have a rash or a concern about monkeypox
• Get tested. Your healthcare provider can test for monkeypox. 
• Get protected. Vaccines are available in limited supply and can help even after exposure.

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people until you have been evaluated by a healthcare provider. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others and keep the rash covered.  

For more information, including information about the monkeypox vaccine and examples of rashes, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html.

What We Know about Omicron

CDC has been collaborating with global public health and industry partners to learn about Omicron, as we continue to monitor its course. We are still learning about how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and how well available vaccines and medications work against it.

Spread

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Delta variant. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Symptoms

Persons infected with the Omicron variant can present with symptoms similar to previous variants. The presence and severity of symptoms can be affected by COVID-19 vaccination status, the presence of other health conditions, age, and history of prior infection.

Severe Illness

Omicron infection generally causes less severe disease than infection with prior variants. Preliminary data suggest that Omicron may cause more mild disease, although some people may still have severe disease, need hospitalization, and could die from the infection with this variant. Even if only a small percentage of people with Omicron infection need hospitalization, the large volume of cases could overwhelm the healthcare system which is why it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.

As the spring semester is getting underway, so is the 2020 flu season. I wanted to update you on flu activity in our area and ask for your help in preventing the spread of flu in our community.

Influenza, the flu, is a contagious respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe illness and can pose high risks for people with certain health conditions or compromised immune systems.

The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) surveillance map shows widespread flu, or flu like illness, activity throughout the southeast United States.  More specifically, the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ Surveillance Summary demonstrates increased flu activity at this point in time compared to the past two years in North Carolina.  With those statistics in mind, you can take to help avoid the flu and prevent the spread of flu and keep our campus healthy:

• The first and most important step in protecting yourself from the flu is to GET a flu vaccine. It is not too late to get a flu shot. While the flu shot may not prevent you from getting the flu, it is proven to be effective in helping reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten recovery time if you do get sick.  Health Services still has shots available.
• Know the symptoms of the flu, and seek medical care here at Health Services if you experience these symptoms:
• Fever of 100.4F/38C degrees or higher or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Cough and/or sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea (most common in children)
• Practice good prevention habits by WASHING your hands routinely. Particularly after you have touched surfaces in common areas--avoid touching your face.  Wash your hands with either soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer rubbing your hands together until they are dry.
• Routinely wipe your pens, phones, keyboards and other common items that may be touched or used by individuals other than yourself, in both your work environment and at home.
• Cover your mouth if you need to cough or sneeze, using a tissue or your elbow if necessary.
• Prevent the spread of germs! If you become ill, self-isolate until at least 24 hours after your fever subsides. If you visit a medical provider, ask for a mask, even if you are not experiencing symptoms, you may be exposed while at that medical office.

If you are diagnosed with the flu, the Office of Student Affairs is assisting with documented medical absence notifications to allow you the necessary time to recuperate without furthering spreading illness to the rest of campus.

From January 1 to May 10, 2019, 839 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 23 states, based on data reported to the CDC.

This is an increase of 75 cases from the previous week, and new cases continue to be diagnosed.

This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1994 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

The states that have reported cases to CDC are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington.

In a given year, more measles cases can occur for any of the following reasons:

• an increase in the number of travelers who get measles abroad and bring it into the U.S., and/or
• further spread of measles in U.S. communities with pockets of unvaccinated people.

Measles starts with fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat. It’s followed by a rash that spreads over the body. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing. Persons with measles are contagious from four days prior to rash onset (with the rash onset considered day zero) through four days after rash onset.

Measles is a public health concern and is reportable to the Communicable Disease Branch of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to implement measure to control the spread of illness.

As of May 16, 2019 NC has not experienced a positive case of measles, but if are experiencing any of these symptoms and are concerned about potential exposure, please visit Health Services to discuss your concerns.

 

Several infectious illnesses result from mosquito and tick bites.  The simplest way to prevent these illnesses is to prevent mosquito and tick bites through the use of insect repellent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued travel advisories to areas infected with Zika virus, including parts of the United States. There are five important things that you should know about Zika. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have either traveled to an infected area or recently had mosquito bites please visit Health Services to discuss your concerns.

Other infections that can result from a mosquito or tick bites include:

Zika

Chikungunya

Dengue

Malaria

Saint Louis Encephalitis

La Crosse Encephalitis

Lyme Disease

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Educate yourself and contact Health Services if you need more information.

Health Services if following the guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health.

There is a Level 2 Travel warning issued by the CDC to limit travel to Saudi Arabia, and the neighboring countries of Iran, Iraq and Syria. More information regarding travel restrictions

As of June 2015, there is still a Level 1 travel warning to South Korea and China.  More information regarding travel restrictions to this area visit

View a handout on MERS

As of March 29, 2016 the World Health Organization issued the following statement:

The 9th meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) regarding the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa took place on 29 March 2016. In the Committee’s view, the Ebola situation in West Africa no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the temporary recommendations adopted in response should now be terminated.

Health Services will continue to follow the guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health.

Persons arriving in the U.S. from an affected area or any traveler should monitor their health and if feeling sick, contact their health provider immediately and tell him or her about their recent travel and potential contacts before they go to the doctor's office or emergency room to prevent potential transmission to others.

Students should contact Health Services at 828-227-7640 and ask to speak with a Registered Nurse for questions or assistance.

Faculty and Staff should contact their primary care Provider or Health Services for more information.