What You Need To Know About Monkey Pox

Monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder.  Since May 2022 several clusters of Monkeypox have been reported in several countries that do not normally have Monkeypox including European countries (UK, Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden), Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, a Geisel professor of medicine, infectious disease specialist, and New Hampshire's deputy state epidemiologist,  hosted an online webinar about monkeypox for the Dartmouth community on Aug. 17, 2022.  You can watch the webinar here.

The latest campus community messages regarding monkeypox are now available.

Currently, CDC is not encouraging vaccination against monkeypox for the broader public or for everyone who is sexually active, however, you may want to get vaccinated if:

• You have been identified as a close contact of someone with monkeypox.
• You learn that one of your sex partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox.

In addition, you may want to get vaccinated if you are a man who has sex with other men or are a transgender or gender-diverse person who has sex with men and if any of the following apply:

• Having three (3) or more new sex partners in the last month, 
• Engaging in group or anonymous sex, 
• Having sex at sex-on-site venues/events, 
• Taking medicine to prevent HIV (HIV PrEP). 

To receive vaccine, you may need a referral from your provider at Dartmouth College Health Service.  To discuss a referral, please call (603) 646-9401 to schedule a brief phone consult with one of our providers.  You may also schedule online.

For more information, visit the NH website.

We are fortunate to have many options in our area for those seeking the vaccine. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services lists several options in New Hampshire, the closest and easiest for students may be the clinic at DHMC.

In Vermont, there are options listed here by Heath Vermont. One location which may be convient for students and others in the area is Planned Parenthood in White River Junction. This location has confirmed with us that they are offering the vaccine to all who qualify, with no residency or citizenship requirements.

Click here for more information regarding prevention, spread and signs and symptoms of Monkeypox.

Click here for information on Monkeypox Facts for people who are sexually active.

While there have been confirmed cases of monkeypox in New Hampshire, there have been no suspected or confirmed cases on the Dartmouth campus.  Dartmouth College Health Service is monitoring the situation closely.  Up to date information regarding monkeypox in New Hampshire can be found here.