AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Public Health (APH) is awaiting results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm a presumptive case of monkeypox in Travis County. APH is coordinating with the Texas Department of State Health Services and CDC as part of the ongoing investigation. 

The resident did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home. APH Epidemiologists are conducting contact tracing and reaching out to people who had direct close contact with the resident while infectious. 

The resident came in close contact with someone who had traveled from out of state who is also under investigation for monkeypox infection. 

 "While the threat of monkeypox remains low, we recommend that all Travis County residents be aware and seek medical care if you believe you have symptoms of the virus,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “While our local healthcare providers are working with epidemiologists to monitor the virus, the community should continue the hygiene practices we know work such as handwashing and minimizing skin-to-skin contact, especially with those showing rashes or sores.” 

Monkeypox is rare and does not spread easily between people without close contact. 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 can include: 

-Fever 

-Headache 

-Muscle aches and backache 

-Swollen lymph nodes 

-Chills 

-Exhaustion 

-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/palms, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. 

-The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. This process can take several weeks 

There are number of measures that can be taken to prevent infection with monkeypox: 

-Minimize skin-to-skin contact, especially if person has been exposed to the virus, showing a rash or skin sores. 

-Avoid contact with any materials, such as bedding, that has been in contact with monkeypox. 

-Practice good hand hygiene. For example, washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 

-Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for people infected with monkeypox. 

-Avoid contact with animals that could harbor the virus (including animals that are sick or that have been found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs). 

The CDC is tracking at least 173 monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the U.S. At least five cases are confirmed in Texas. The state’s first monkeypox case this year was confirmed earlier this month in Dallas County. That individual had recently traveled to Dallas from Mexico. On Wednesday Dallas County Health and Human Services confirmed its second and third monkeypox cases this year. Those individuals recently traveled from Spain and Mexico. 

About Austin Public Health  

Austin Public Health is the health department for the City of Austin and Travis County. Austin Public Health works to prevent disease, promote health and protect the well-being of all by monitoring and preventing infectious diseases and environmental threats and educating about the benefits of preventative behaviors to avoid chronic diseases and improve health outcomes. 

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UPDATE: In response to new trends, APH will keep doors open at Old Sims Gymnasium

Jun 24, 2022 10:02 am

June 24, 4 p.m.

UPDATE: After today’s uptick, Austin Public Health (APH) Immunization Program anticipates demand for the pediatric vaccine will exceed the demand experienced when eligibility expanded to 5-to 11-year-olds earlier this spring (even though this population is smaller). After expanded eligibility in May, staff at Old Sims?Gymnasium?administered?15?doses to 5-to 11-year-olds within?the first week, but in just two?days, staff has already vaccinated?173?toddlers and babies at the clinic. 

In response to these new trends, APH will keep the doors open at Old Sims Gymnasium and reassess the need to continue operations at the clinic weekly to ensure efficient use of resources. 

Throughout this response, APH’s highly trained staff continues to observe existing trends to prepare and pivot efforts if necessary. While most children in Travis County get their vaccines from physicians’ offices, our teams are prepared to fill in the gaps until supply is more widely available. 

June 24, 7 a.m.

AUSTIN, Texas – After a year and a half of operating mass vaccine clinics for hundreds of thousands of people, Austin Public Health (APH) will close the last mass vaccine clinic to dedicate additional resources to continuing a community-focused approach.  

"We mobilized large-scale clinics in as little as 24 hours in areas historically known to have limited access to healthcare," said APH Director Adrienne Sturrup. "Then after providing first doses to thousands, staff turned around operations and did it again for the second dose. I couldn't be prouder to be part of such a dedicated team whose hard work is still not done." 

The Old Sims Elementary Gymnasium vaccine clinic’s last day of operations is Saturday, June 25.  

The Mobile Vaccination Program (MVP) will continue operations and businesses, churches and other community groups are encouraged to cohost pop-up clinics. Fill out an online form or call 3-1-1 to request these services. 

The Old Sims Elementary Gymnasium vaccine clinic is one of 12 total APH mass vaccination sites that were stood up throughout Travis County. Early on in the rollout, vaccine administrators nationwide were required to follow eligibility criteria which allotted the limited supply to front-line workers, healthcare staff and long-term care facilities. By mid-February 2020, the State of Texas designated APH as one of its mass vaccine hubs expanding its role as a safety net provider for residents without insurance to serving all in the Central Texas area and beyond.    

Even as a hub, APH still focused local resources on zip codes with low vaccination rates among eligible populations through the MVP, which offers COVID-19 vaccines at locations in otherwise hard-to-reach areas.  

More than 74% of Travis County’s previously eligible population (ages 5+) is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That same population is also eligible for a booster dose. The CDC recommends an additional booster for adults 50 and older. 

"Our community’s effort to get vaccinated and protect themselves from COVID-19 has been invaluable in lowering the spread of COVID-19, preventing severe disease, hospitalizations and complications such as long COVID, diabetes or heart problems," said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "The MVP will help us to reach those who are still in need of that protection." 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Historically, most children in Travis County get their vaccines from pharmacies or doctors’ offices but APH’s highly trained staff continues efforts to fill in the gaps by serving at-risk and underserved populations using its?Shots for Tots clinics?and through the MVP. APH recently received?Exemplary Provider status?for Immunization and Testing Services by The Compliance Team. 

These achievements were possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of APH staff, county and city support, and community partners. 

Travis County continues to hold daily pop-up vaccine clinics throughout the county. A list of those clinics can be found online. 

Free COVID-19 tests  

APH encourages testing before and after gatherings, especially if you plan to be in close contact with individuals who are at risk. APH's Metz Elementary testing site (84 Robert T. Martinez Jr. St., Austin, TX 78702) is still open providing free PCR tests and rapid antigen tests. 

A third round of free mail-order COVID-19 test kits is available through the federal government. 

More Vaccination Information  

Find vaccine providers using Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) or by texting your zip code to 438829 (822862 in Spanish) to find a nearby clinic. 

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