The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has received confirmation of additional cases of monkeypox in two local adults. The community members currently remain in isolation. Public Health has completed contact tracing with these persons 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. There are three confirmed cases of monkeypox in Santa Barbara County at this time.

“As we continue to identify cases of monkeypox locally, it is important for our community to understand how this virus spreads and how it does not spread,” shared County Health Officer, Dr. Henning Ansorg. “This virus most commonly spreads through prolonged, direct physical contact with someone who is currently infectious. It is highly unlikely to spread through short interactions that do not involve physical contact.”

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. 

Santa Barbara County health officials continue to work closely with state health partners in procuring more vaccine for local communities. Additional requests for vaccines have been approved and County Public Health expects to receive more doses soon for known close contacts of confirmed monkeypox cases and individuals with certain risk factors, such as people who attended an event where there was a known monkeypox exposure.  

Anyone who may have been exposed to monkeypox and/or has symptoms consistent with monkeypox should contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible or contact County Public Health at 805-681-5280 or [email protected].  

Cases will be reported on the County Public Health Monkeypox webpage on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 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.