Mpox

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH- Escambia) is monitoring the monkeypox outbreak. The risk of monkeypox to the general population remains low.

In the event of a Mpox (formerly monkeypox) case, FDOH- Escambia will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis. FDOH- Escambia will offer the monkeypox vaccine.

Prevention and Treatment 

If health care providers suspect a possible case of Mpox in Escambia County, immediately contact our Epidemiology Department at 850-595-6683 Ext. 2301 or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-418-5566. if you are outside of Escambia County, contact your local health department. Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing. Therefore, the risk of exposure remains low.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to Mpox:

• Mpox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history.
• Transmission and incubation
• Specimen collection.
• Infection control procedures in the home and hospital
• Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with Mpox.
• Prophylaxis and possible treatments for Mpox.
• Monitoring of those exposed to mpox.

The public should also remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak. Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The meningococcal vaccines are available to high-risk populations at every county health department, free of charge. Floridians can find more information on meningococcal disease here.