FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2022
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Director of Communications
(860) 706-9654 – christopher.boyle@ct.gov
HARTFORD, Conn.—The Connecticut Department of Public Health has announced that a total of 11 Connecticut residents have been diagnosed with monkeypox. All 11 patients are between the ages of 20 and 50, and reside in Fairfield, New Haven and Hartford counties. The majority of these patients have not been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2022 US Map & Case Count includes an updated count of monkeypox cases throughout the country. Connecticut’s first case was announced on July 5.
“Monkeypox spreads through close prolonged contact with an infected person. This might include coming into contact with skin lesions, or body fluids, sharing clothes or other materials that have been used by an infected person, or inhaling respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “Residents who are concerned about fever, swollen glands, and a new rash, should contact their health care provider.”
Diagnostic testing for monkeypox is now available from commercial laboratories, including LabCorp, Mayo Clinic, and Quest, and providers can order testing from these laboratories as they would order other diagnostic tests. Testing is available through the State Public Health Laboratory, Monday-Friday.
Although anyone can get and spread monkeypox, the current cases are primarily spreading among social networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. For those who have multiple or anonymous sex partners, their likelihood of monkeypox exposure is high.
Due to the state’s current low case count, Connecticut has not received a substantial allotment of the monkeypox vaccine from the federal government at this time. More doses are expected in the coming weeks. Vaccination may be recommended for those who:
- Are close personal contacts of people with monkeypox (post-exposure prophylaxis)
- May have been exposed to the virus
- May have increased risk of being exposed to the virus, such as people who perform laboratory testing to diagnose monkeypox
“At the present time, our top priority is ensuring access to post-exposure prophylaxis and then expanding to a larger pool of at-risk persons when our vaccine supply allows us to do so,” said Commissioner Juthani.
For those seeking treatment or additional information on the vaccine and antivirals, please contact your health care provider or call the DPH Epidemiology Program at (860) 509-7994 or (860) 509-8000 after hours.
For more information about monkeypox, please visit the CDC monkeypox webpage and the DPH monkeypox webpage
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