Monkeypox In Somerset County: Case Numbers, Vaccination Information

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — With the recent outbreak of Monkeypox across the globe, cases are starting to increase in New Jersey and has spread to Somerset County.

According to the NJ Department of Health, there are 175 probable and confirmed cases in the state, with less than 5 cases in Somerset County.

In New Jersey, Hudson County has the highest number of cases with 61 followed by Essex at 35 cases.

Since the World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a global health emergency, the Somerset County Department of Health (SCDOH) has teamed up with state and federal health officials. Read More: Somerset County Prepares As Monkeypox Declared Global Emergency

As part of the preparation, the SCDOH is closely tracking the monkeypox outbreak with healthcare providers and local health departments to identify cases and close contacts within the county and administer the vaccine called JYNNEOS to eligible residents. County residents with known exposure to a person with monkeypox are asked to contact their healthcare provider or their local health department.

Who can get vaccinated?

• People who have known contact with someone who tested positive for orthopoxvirus or monkeypox virus within past 14 days
• People who attended an event where known monkeypox exposure occurred within 14 days (make an appointment at a vaccine location)
• People who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men (MSM), and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary and who have a history of multiple or anonymous sex with partners within past 14 days (make an appointment at a vaccine location)

How Monkeypox spreads:

• Primarily spread through close contact with someone already infected with monkeypox
• Touching items such as clothing or linens used by someone with monkeypox
• Pregnant women can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
• A bite or scratch from an infected animal

Symptoms:

Symptoms generally start one to two weeks after exposure but in some cases may not appear for up to 21 days. The most common symptoms are rashes and sores that look like blisters or pimples. The rash and sores can be painful and typically last two to four weeks.

Some people also get flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, tiredness and swollen lymph nodes. People who think they may have been exposed to monkeypox or who have symptoms should speak with a health care provider, the New Jersey Department of Health says.

Where to get vaccinated:

Vaccines are available by appointment only through the following community partners:

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Location: Annex 2 (white tent structure), 230 East Ridgewood Ave, Paramus
Phone: 800-730-2762
Schedule an appointment: www.newbridgehealth.org

Cooper Vaccine & Testing Clinic, Cooper University Hospital
Location: 300 Broadway, Camden
Phone: 856-968-7100
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: https://my.cooperhealth.org/mychart/authentication/login

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation/Project Living Out Loud!
Location: Jersey City
Phone: 201-706-3480

The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey
Location: Asbury Park
Phone: 732-502-5100

North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)
Location: Newark
Phone: 973-483-3444 ext. 200
Check with your local health department or visit this page for updates on vaccination.

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