HONOLULU — On Friday, the Hawaii Department of Health reported two new cases of monkeypox — a Hawaii Island resident who traveled to the U.S. Mainland and an Oahu resident. Officials are investigating any connections to previously reported cases.

What You Need To Know

  • The monkeypox vaccine is not currently available through health care providers

  • If you think you may have contracted monkeypox, inform the DOH by emailing them at DOH.DOCD.DIB@doh.hawaii.gov (include name and phone number) and contact your health care provider

  • Visit the DOH website for more information

“The risk to most Hawaii residents remains low, but with the number of cases growing across the country, we expect to identify more cases in Hawaii,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Nathan Tan in a news release. “We understand a fair amount about how monkeypox spreads — primarily through close, intimate contact. DOH continues to conduct case investigation, coordinate vaccination and treatment, and work with health care providers across the state.”

DOH has been managing orthopoxvirus or monkeypox infections through contact tracing and vaccination and treatment. They have vaccinated close contacts of people known to have monkeypox, as well as individuals who may have been in venues or areas where monkeypox is actively spreading.

The vaccination supply is limited and DOH is currently overseeing its statewide distribution and administration. Health care providers currently do not have access to vaccines.

Most individuals with monkeypox experience mild-to-moderate illness, but the rash and sores can be itchy and painful and last two to four weeks, according to the DOH. It starts with flu-like symptoms — fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes — then progresses to a rash or sores on the hands, feet, chest, face or genitals. Individuals generally become ill within 21 days of exposure.

Monkeypox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material or items used by someone with the illness, and may also spread via large respiratory droplets in which prolonged face-to-face contact is required. Individuals are considered infectious until all lesions have scabbed over and new skin has grown.

Those who exhibit the symptoms above are advised to contact their health care provider immediately. More information on monkeypox is available on the DOH website.

As of July 16, eight people in Hawaii have tested positive for monkeypox, most of whom did not require hospitalization and recovered on their own.

Sarah Yamanaka is a digital journalist for Spectrum News Hawaii. Read more of her stories here.