FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2023

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Southwest District Health (SWDH) is announcing the first case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in its jurisdiction. The case was detected mid-November in a man who lives in Canyon County.

The investigation is ongoing. Epidemiologists have not yet been able to determine the source of the exposure, but there is currently a small outbreak in Ada County. Local and state public health officials are working with the patient to make sure any potential close contacts are identified and notified of exposure risk, and the patient’s healthcare providers to ensure the patient is treated, if need be.

Mpox can be mild to severe. Most people with mild mpox disease recover on their own. Antivirals are available for patients who might have severe disease, have other conditions that might increase their risk for severe disease, or develop complications. Southwest District Health recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to mpox or might be exposed to mpox to reduce symptoms and prevent further spread in our community. Southwest District Health is able to provide the JYNNEOS (pronounced gin-EE-ohs) vaccine to those who are looking to get vaccinated or have been recently exposed. Residents can call Southwest District Health at 208-455-5300 to schedule an appointment. Individuals with mpox should self-isolate until their lesions have fully healed with new skin where the lesions used to be. Residents can contact their local health district if they have any questions or concerns about isolating.

How is mpox spread?

Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with mpox. We believe this is currently the most common way that mpox is spreading in the U.S.
• Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
• Contact with respiratory secretions.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Symptoms* of concern include:

• Fever ≥100.4°F (38°C)
• Chills
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• New skin rash – Rash may look like pimples or blisters.

*Fever and rash occur in nearly all people infected with mpox virus.

Close contacts should be monitored for symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals should isolate and call Southwest District Health for further guidance. Contacts who remain asymptomatic can continue routine daily activities.

How to prevent mpox?

Take the following steps to prevent mpox:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with mpox.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with mpox.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with mpox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with mpox.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

What to do if you have symptoms of mpox?

SWDH encourages anyone who is experiencing an unexplained skin rash with or without a fever to contact their healthcare provider and avoid contact with others. If possible, call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. If you are not able to call ahead, tell a staff member as soon as you arrive that you are concerned about mpox. Tell your doctor if in the month before developing symptoms: 

• You had contact with a person who might have had mpox. 
• You were in an area where mpox has been reported (currently, Europe, North America, South America, Australia) or in an area where mpox is more commonly found (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan). 

Anyone who is ill with these symptoms is encouraged to follow advice given by SWDH and their healthcare provider to help prevent the spread to others.

For more information on mpox, please visit www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/symptoms.

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ABOUT 

Southwest District Health is one of seven public health districts throughout Idaho established to protect and promote the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in our region. We proudly serve Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington Counties. We work in partnership with our community to identify health needs, design solutions, and implement services that encourage behaviors contributing to healthier, longer lives. Learn more at www.swdh.org.

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Media Contacts:

Monique Evancic, Public Information Officer 
Southwest District Health
Monique.Evancic@phd3.idaho.gov
208-800-1262

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2023 – An adult male with confirmed measles has been reported in southwest Idaho. He was unvaccinated and was exposed during recent international travel. He was hospitalized, and is now recovering at home. During their infectious period, the person spent time at the Boise airport on Sept. 13, and in the Nampa area on Sept. 14 and 15.

Investigation is ongoing, and people who may have been exposed are being notified by Southwest District Health and other local health districts. However, it is possible that some people who were exposed briefly would not have been identified by public health officials.

Vaccination is highly protective against measles illness.

“Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease and could quickly spread to others,” said Dr. Christine Hahn, Idaho state epidemiologist and medical director for the Division of Public Health at the Department of Health and Welfare. “Measles can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing, but also by breathing the contaminated air or touching a surface that has respiratory droplets on it.”

The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves the area. Measles is so contagious that if one individual has measles, up to 90% of contacts to that individual who are not immune will also become infected. It can spread for up to four days before and after the rash appears.

If you’ve been exposed to measles, you should call your healthcare provider and monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.

Measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. There is no specific treatment for measles.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases is by immunization,” said Ricky Bowman, epidemiology program manager with Southwest District Health. “Measles can be prevented by the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, which protects against all three illnesses. It’s considered to be 97% effective at preventing measles after two doses.”

Children should receive their first dose of measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years of age. MMR vaccine is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States but is sometimes recommended for children as young as 6 months who are traveling outside the United States or who could be infected in an outbreak.

People experiencing symptoms of measles should contact their healthcare provider and should not go into clinics, pharmacies, or other healthcare settings without calling ahead so the facility can make preparations to reduce any chance of spread. For more information on measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles.

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ABOUT 

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.

Central District Health, Public Health District IV, is one of seven public health districts within the state of Idaho, serving the counties of Ada, Boise, Elmore, and Valley. With a vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities, CDH’s emphasis is on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease, improving quality of life and increasing the years of healthy life among residents.

Southwest District Health is one of seven public health districts throughout Idaho established to protect and promote the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in our region. We proudly serve Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington Counties. We work in partnership with our community to identify health needs, design solutions, and implement services that encourage behaviors contributing to healthier, longer lives. Learn more at www.swdh.org.

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Media Contacts:

Greg Stahl, Public Information Officer 
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
Greg.Stahl@dhw.idaho.gov
208-334-0766

Maria Ortega, Public Information Officer 
Central District Health
Mortega@cdh.idaho.gov
208-327-8639

Monique Evancic, Public Information Officer 
Southwest District Health
Monique.Evancic@phd3.idaho.gov
208-800-1262