FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 17, 2022
LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District will update its monkeypox case reports weekly starting Wednesday, August 17. The update will include probable and confirmed case counts, cases by onset date and basic demographic information as well as vaccine doses administered through Tuesday. As of Tuesday, August 16, the Health District is reporting 100 confirmed or probable cases and has administered 2,848 vaccine doses.
The Health District continues to administer doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine at its clinic at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. to eligible high-risk individuals as resources allow. The clinic is available by appointment only, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Appointments can be made through the appointment portal at https://vax4nv.nv.gov/patient/s/. The Health District encourages people to check the appointment site frequently if they are unable to book an appointment immediately.
The Health District’s monkeypox vaccine eligibility criteria are in alignment with the national monkeypox vaccine strategy and prioritizes the highest risk individuals at this time to prevent spread in the community. This strategy is meant to prevent infection or help reduce the severity of disease in those who become infected.
Currently, eligibility to receive the vaccine includes:
- People who had close or direct physical contact within the past 14 days with someone confirmed or suspected of having monkeypox. This includes:
- People who know or suspect their sexual partner(s) of having monkeypox.
- People who live in the same household as someone they know or suspect of having monkeypox.
- People who have been informed by the Southern Nevada Health District that they are a close contact of someone with monkeypox.
- Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary who had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days, especially at a venue, event, or within a social group where a person with a known or suspected case of monkeypox was present.
People who are seeking the monkeypox vaccine will be evaluated by staff at the clinic regarding their eligibility to receive the vaccine. The Health District anticipates that eligibility will be expanded to be able to provide vaccine to people at an increased risk as vaccine supply increases.
The Health District advised that people with unknown rashes and lesions should contact their health care provider for an assessment and to get tested. The Health District urges people to take precautions to prevent infections. Anyone can get monkeypox, and people need to take precautions to protect themselves and others from infection. Monkeypox is spread through:
- Direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs or body fluids.
- Respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
- Touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with monkeypox.
Monkeypox information is available on the Health District’s website: www.snhd.info/monkeypox as well as the CDC’s website: www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.