The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has received confirmation of the first case of monkeypox in a local adult. The resident had an exposure outside of the county and will remain in isolation until symptoms have resolved. Public Health has completed contact tracing with this person to identify anyone who may have had close contact with them. Persons identified in contact tracing are being monitored for symptoms and appropriate public health interventions are being taken. Risk to the public remains low.

“Public health nurses have been working closely with the resident who is currently recovering at home in isolation,” shared Community Health Deputy Director, Paige Batson. “It remains important for all community members to stay apprised of the evolving situation and take steps to protect themselves, especially in prolonged, close-contact encounters.”

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 or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids

-Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta

Symptoms of monkeypox usually begin one to two weeks after infection. They can include:

-Fever

-Headache

-Muscle aches and backache

-Swollen lymph nodes

-Chills

-Exhaustion

-Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

-A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.

The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. 

The current monkeypox situation continues to evolve quickly. On Monday, August 1, 2022, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to support statewide response to

monkeypox. This response allows for greater coordination and access to resources for all California counties. Access to vaccines remains critically low and reserved for identified close contacts and individuals with certain risk factors, such as attending an event with a known monkeypox exposure.

For the most up-to-date information about monkeypox prevention, vaccination, and seeking care in Santa Barbara County, visit the County Public Health Monkeypox webpage.