Monkeypox cases rise in Georgia as state counts new cases among children
Georgia is now reporting a total of three confirmed cases of monkeypox in children amid an overall rise in cases in the state. The latest Department of Public Health numbers show Georgia with 1,240 total confirmed cases.
Almost all cases continue to be among men who have sex with men. And Black people are disproportionately affected by the outbreak in Georgia.
The state saw two new pediatric cases this week, adding to a previously reported confirmed case.
Of the two newly confirmed cases in children, a spokesperson for DPH says one is in metro Atlanta and the other is outside the metro area. Their identities have not been released.
Nationally according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States Thursday reported 16,926 cases of monkeypox. No deaths have been reported.
Monkeypox spreads mostly through direct, sustained physical contact, including through sex.
The CDC cautions the virus may also spread by touching contaminated items such as clothing, bedding, or towels used by someone with monkeypox, or objects touched by an infected person.
The virus causes a distinctive painful rash or sores on the skin. Monkeypox can also cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, sore throat and nasal congestion.
To curb its spread among children and school staff this year as the school year ramps up, DPH recommends following CDC guidance.
That includes regular handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, as well as testing anyone with symptoms and isolating people who test positive until the tell-tale monkeypox rash heals, which typically happens within four weeks.
Read more about how to protect yourself from monkeypox at the CDC website.
Demand for the two-dose monkeypox vaccine continues to outstrip supply, and the Biden administration recently announced an accelerated distribution of doses to states, with additional vaccines targeted for places with upcoming Pride events.
Atlanta’s Black Pride events are set to begin Aug. 31. And Pride organizers are hosting a special DPH monkeypox vaccination event on Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Click here to register for a spot. The event will be held at The Freight Depot, 65 MLK Jr. Dr. SW from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So far, officials report nearly 16,500 people have had one dose of the monkeypox vaccine. But just 1,079 are fully vaccinated.
The state has launched a centralized online-scheduling tool and phone helpline to assist people in locating and making appointments for a monkeypox vaccine.
For assistance by phone, call the Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at (888) 457-0186.
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