Due to the limited amount of vaccines allocated, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services will not be able to vaccinate everyone that meets the criteria below. Hidalgo County residents that do not meet the current eligibility criteria will not receive the vaccine at this time. 

Visit the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services website for more information at:

http://www.hchd.org/216/Monkeypox

IMPORTANT MONKEYPOX INFORMATION

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus. It usually occurs in Central and West Africa. It is part of the same genus (Orthopoxvirus) and family as causative agent of Smallpox. In past outbreaks, Monkeypox has spread from animals to humans with reservoirs including rope and tree squirres, prairie dogs, and monkeys.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back aches, lymphadenopathy, chills, and exhaustion followed by a rash within 1-3 days after the appearance of fever. The rash typically begins on the face then spreads to other parts of the body. Atypical presentation would consist of the rash being the first or only symptom to develop. The illness can last 2 to 4 weeks with the contrarious period ending once the lesions have scabbed, fallen off and new skin appears.

Monkeypox can spread primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, respiratory droplets, mucous secretions, or contact with contaminated materials such as bedding. The current outbreak has shown that close intimate contact between people, wrestling, kissing, touching, hugging, or sex have been common exposures.

The incubation period for Monkeypox us usually 7 to 14 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. Anyone exposed to Monkeypox should be monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

TO REVIEW HCHHSD MONKEYPOX HEALTH ADVISORY INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

Current Vaccine Eligibility:

People 18 years of age and older who:

 Have had high-risk exposure to a person with Monkeypox

 Were diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhea, or early syphilis within the past 3-6 months

 Have had a history of HIV in the last 3-6 months

 Are men who have sex with men and have had multiple or anonymous sex partners within the past 21 days

 Have a sex partner who is showing symptoms of Monkeypox such as a rash or sores

MONKEYPOX VACCINE

If you think you have Monkeypox or have been in contact with someone with the virus, please contact the Health & Human Services Department at (956) 318-2426. The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department is vaccinating a population of high-risk clients with the monkeypox vaccine as a preventive effort. For additional information and case counts visit: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS