CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Health officials announced there are now 33 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Mecklenburg County, nearly doubling last week's case count of 18.
During a news conference Monday, county health leaders said the Mecklenburg County Health Department will receive an extra 2,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine. There are approximately 1,800 people on the waiting list to be vaccinated.
Monday's update also revealed there has been local transmission of monkeypox in Mecklenburg County. Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington said there previously was no evidence of local spread in the county. Washington said Mecklenburg is seeing the doubling of monkeypox cases every three to four days. The health department is working "with urgency" to stem this trend with vaccines and education.
Monkeypox has been reported in nearly every state, with more than 5,000 confirmed infections nationwide. North Carolina and South Carolina have reported 53, and 16 cases, respectively, according to the CDC's latest update.
Mecklenburg County Public Health is one of a handful of county health departments in the state that is receiving vaccines from the federal government. Health officials are still trying to ramp up monkeypox resources. Those resources go beyond just tested and vaccinations, with North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services holding a town hall to answer questions about the virus last month.
More than 99% of reported cases are in men and the vast majority of those are among men who reported sexual contact with other men, though health officials have stressed that anyone can catch the virus.
Washington said it's important to balance the goal of informing affected groups without stigmatizing any particular communities.
"We've got to be laser-focused on trying to avoid widespread community transmission, particularly in areas of high impact," Washington said. "It's important for that community to be aware that it's disproportionately impacting them ... At the same time, that risk spills over to everybody."
Washington said he's hopeful the new doses coming to Mecklenburg County will put a dent in the long wait list, but couldn't say for sure. He said the county's objective will be to work through the list and then get to work on getting more vaccines.
Education & outreach as Charlotte Pride approaches
Monkeypox is creating yet another viral backdrop for Charlotte Pride organizers to navigate. After two years of a COVID-19 hiatus, the organization has been planning the return of its major events, like the Charlotte Pride Parade, later this month.
Clark Simon, Charlotte Pride Board President, said the group is working with Mecklenburg County health officials to maximize education efforts ahead of and during their events. Nevertheless, Simon calls the monkeypox situation "frustrating."
"Unfortunately, this is something that popped up that I don't think anybody was anticipating or hoping for after two years of COVID," Simon said. "But I do think one of the silver linings, if anything came out of COVID, was [a] better understanding of how to address events like this."
Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director, said the county is planning health outreach focused on the groups the virus is most impacting.
"We'll have a presence at the upcoming Charlotte Pride events," Washington said. "We're also doing a whole host of other outreach activities, including, health promotion campaigns on dating apps."
Washington said the county wants to bring the monkeypox vaccine to some Charlotte Pride events.
With more education coming and more tools on the way, Simon hopes that Pride can finally take to the streets again -- and do so safely.
"Whether it is COVID, or monkeypox or anything -- be smart, be safe, have a good time, have a buddy system, all those things still apply," Simon said.
Charlotte Pride Week kicks off Friday, Aug. 12, culminating with the Charlotte Pride Parade on Aug. 21. The organization has added monkeypox to its "Keeping You Safe" webpage, joining COVID-19-related safety and other general safety guidance on the site.
Federal response
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global emergency on July 23. The Biden administration pushed back against claims it missed the window to contain the virus.
“We believe we have done everything we can at the federal level to work with our state and local partners and communities affected to make sure we can stay ahead of this and end this outbreak,” Xavier Becerra, head of the Department of Health and Human Services, told reporters on a call.
The monkeypox virus mainly spreads through skin-on-skin contact, but it can also transmit through touching linens used by someone with the infection. People with monkeypox may experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. Many in the outbreak have developed sometimes-painful zit-like bumps.
The U.S. has ordered 5.5 million more vaccine doses for delivery by mid-2023 and has rights to the raw ingredients that could make 11.1 million more doses. U.S. officials said a massive vaccination campaign could still be avoided if communities and individuals take measures to avoid spread.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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