With six confirmed cases and seven presumptive cases in Travis County, monkeypox is now considered community spread by Austin Public Health as of June 13. APH considers a virus community spread when it no longer can be traced from a single person or population.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is rare; it does not spread easily without close contact; and over 99% of people who get the disease are likely to survive.
Monkeypox is spread through direct contact with infected scabs, rashes and bodily fluids, or through prolonged respiratory secretions, such as kissing. It can also be spread by touching items that have been in contact with scabs, rashes and bodily fluids.
In addition to avoiding close contact with strangers and practicing good hand washing, APH warns about sharing vapes, cigarettes or any activity that exchanges saliva with strangers.
