Monkeypox Update and FAQs

What’s Happening

Here you will find current information on the ongoing outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) in the United States as well as in several countries that do not usually have MPX cases.

While there is reason for concern regarding this current MPX outbreak, panic is not warranted. Monkeypox is a known virus which belongs to the same family of viruses—known as orthopoxviruses—as the smallpox virus. However, while many of the monkeypox symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, they tend to be milder, with very rare fatalities.

What We Know

Currently, cases of MPX are primarily reported among social networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). At this time, the overall risk of MPX to the general population appears to be low as it is primarily spread through direct, often intimate contact, and is not known to spread easily through casual contact. However, it is likely that others beyond the MSM community will become infected.

In the context of this outbreak, there is a risk of stigma and discrimination against persons with MPX or those groups at risk for it. Every effort must be taken to reject stigmatization and discrimination.

What We’re Doing

The university is closely monitoring the situation based on data reported by the New York City Department of Health and the CDC and will continue to communicate with the community as the outbreak evolves.

At this point, we do not anticipate implications for current workplace or academic activities and those planned for the Fall semester.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Monkeypox is a rare condition caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the same family of viruses—known as orthopoxviruses—as the smallpox virus. However, while monkeypox symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, they tend to be milder, with very rare fatalities. This virus has been circulating in some regions of the African continent for several decades, however, most prior outbreaks outside these regions have been small in size. The current outbreak is notable for the relatively large number of cases and breadth of countries from which cases have been reported.

Symptoms of monkeypox can include the following:

Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
- The rash goes through different stages before healing completely.
- It is important to note that in the current outbreak, people have reported getting a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks and recovery is determined when symptoms and rash have completely resolved.

The monkeypox virus is most often spread through direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus. It can also spread through contact with clothing, bedding, and other items used by a person with MPX, or from respiratory droplets that can be passed through prolonged face-to-face contact.

The following steps can prevent one from getting monkeypox:

Avoid close, direct skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox or those diagnosed with MPX. Do not touch rash or scabs and avoid kissing, hugging, or other intimate contact with a person with MPX.
Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPX.
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Resource: CDC: Social Gatherings, Safer Sex and Monkeypox

Vaccination

Monkeypox vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine is currently recommended for people who have had contact with someone with MPX and those who are at higher risk of being exposed to MPX.

The vaccine is recommended as two doses, at least four weeks apart.

Resource: JYNNEOS Vaccine for Monkeypox: Frequently Asked Questions

Vaccine eligibility

Eligibility for MPX vaccination may change as the outbreak evolves and based on vaccine supply. Currently, in New York City, adults 18 years of age or older who meet any of the following criteria are eligible for vaccination:

Contact with person with MPX or suspected of having MPX
Gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary
Have a condition that may increase the risk for severe MPX disease such as HIV or another condition that weakens the immune system.

How to get vaccinated

Eligible persons can schedule an appointment through the city’s online vaccine finder. NYC currently has a limited number of doses of the vaccine, thus, appointments may be difficult to secure. However, more vaccine doses are anticipated to be available in NYC over the next several weeks.

For those who have been informed by the Health Department that they are a close contact of someone diagnosed with MPX, the department will provide instructions about where to get vaccinated.

Most people with MPX have self-limited illness and require only supportive care. However, for some, antivirals such as tecovirimat (TPOXX) are recommended. These include people with more severe illness and those who are more likely to get severely ill with MPX, such as individuals with weakened immune systems.

Persons with MPX are encouraged to talk to their provider to find out if they are eligible for antiviral treatment. They may also be able to obtain medications to alleviate the symptoms of MPX.

Columbia University students can access evaluation, testing, and guidance at Columbia Health (for Morningside students) and Student Health on Haven (for CUIMC students).

Medical Services providers can promptly diagnose and manage potential and confirmed cases as well as provide guidance for exposed contacts. Schedule a same-day appointment through the Patient Portal or by calling 212-854-7426.

If a person starts experiencing symptoms, they must isolate immediately and talk to their health care provider. If a person does not have a health care provider, it is recommended that they call 311 or search the NYC Health Map. A provider will conduct an evaluation and may order testing and referral for further management.

Columbia University students can also access evaluation, testing, and guidance at Columbia Health (for Morningside students) and Student Health on Haven (for CUIMC students).

A person with MPX is contagious until all symptoms have resolved and all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed on all sores, which can take 2-4 weeks.

An MPX diagnosis is considered private health information and affiliates who are diagnosed with MPX are not required to disclose their diagnosis to course instructors or supervisors when requesting accommodations during their isolation period.

All contacts should do the following:

Seek vaccination as soon as possible, ideally within five days of contact
Closely monitor their health and if symptoms develop, promptly seek consultation with a provider or through student health services

Sources: CDC and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Diagnosed with MPX?

Faculty members diagnosed with monkeypox should follow their usual absence procedures by notifying their department chair and arranging suitable coverage for their classes.

Disclosure of the diagnosis is not required.

They should also provide documentation to Leave Management, with return-to-work clearance form their treating provider.

Staff members diagnosed with monkeypox should follow their usual absence procedures by notifying their local Human Resources contact.

They should also provide documentation to Leave Management, with return-to-work clearance form their treating provider.

Students diagnosed with monkeypox should notify their primary care provider at Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC) to ensure they are connected to all appropriate resources for treatment, isolation, and contact tracing.

Students on both campuses needing academic accommodations due to prolonged absences must register with Columbia Health Disability Services (DS).

Faculty members will be contacted by Disability Services or a DS Liaison to review what accommodations can be provided to a student who has a prolonged absence due to monkeypox. The diagnosis is confidential and will not be disclosed to the faculty member without consent of the student.

These will be requested for absences greater than 1 week in duration.

Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students who miss classes, assignments or exams due to necessary isolation related to monkeypox. Depending on the size, format and pedagogical goals of the class, instructors can support students in isolation in a number of ways to help students catch up on materials and assignments. These include the following:

Record their lecture or class or make existing recorded lecture available
Invite a remote student to “attend” via a Zoom link to be used only during this period
Create an activity that students could complete on their own to make up missed class or content

Students should note that not all courses are being recorded and they should be in touch with their instructor as to the best way to make up missed class and assignments.

Additional resources for instructors and course assistants to support students through an excused extended absence are available from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

This is considered a low-risk exposure and no further action is needed. Standard cleaning of these spaces is adequate.