There have been 68 cases of Monkeypox in Oklahoma as of now and it’s slowly on the rise. “Monkeypox is a rash illness caused by the monkeypox virus,’’ according to the Center for Disease Control.
Spreading of the virus is usually through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has monkeypox. It can also be spread through objects or materials that the infected person has touched.
Someone with monkeypox can be contagious for two to four weeks. The CDC says that a person with the virus is still considered contagious until new skin has formed after the rash or lesion.
While there are no direct treatments for the monkeypox virus doctors have been able to use the smallpox vaccine as current treatment while they are working on new medicine.
Some students have not been educated about the monkeypox virus. Jalen Clark junior Psychology major of Langston said, “I don’t even know how monkeypox is spread I just thought you get it like how you get everything else.” He also said, “It’s scary that they haven’t told us anything about monkeypox and is there even a plan in place?” in reference to the university.
Dean of Student Affairs Joshua Busby Says, “We have routine communication with the Oklahoma State Department of Health regarding infection updates, precautions, and recommendations to protect students and the general public” when asked about his concern of student safety with monkeypox.
In order to protect and remind students on how to stay safe Busby says, “The institution will send out email reminders and continue to disseminate information regarding the development of monkeypox.”
He also refers students to visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health as well as the Centers for Disease Control to easily find information about monkeypox safety.
Langston Universities Nurse Practitioner La’Nesha Timmons says, “if you’re going to be in close contact, please use protection.” Even though practicing safe sex can help reduce the chances of getting monkeypox it does not protect the rest of your body from exposure.
While Monkeypox can be transmitted sexually once lesions or rashes form anyone who comes in contact with these can contract the virus as well. She used money as an example on how fast the virus may be able to spread through frequent touch of many people.
Before seeing any visible marks form on the body, one may feel sick with flu-like or fatigue before any other symptoms form. When the rash or lesion forms it can be extremely pain for patients. Matt Ford told CBS News, “The first ones that showed up got more painful, especially on more sensitive areas” and that the virus was “excruciating at times.”
Students share a lot of common space such as the laundry room, cafeteria, classrooms, and dorms. It’s advised that students frequently wash their hands, and when washing clothes to disinfect washers with hot water and bleach before using. “Following the instruction on a disinfectant is necessary to get an effective clean,” says the CDC.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
