Communicable Disease

Sierra County Health Department works to promptly identify, prevent and control infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health, including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, vaccine-preventable agents, bacterial toxins, bioterrorism, and pandemics (e.g. avian influenza in humans).

Sierra County Health Department also works closely with the Office of AIDS on comprehensive prevention, diagnosis and treatment services for sexually transmitted diseases, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis and HIV.

Communicable Disease A - Z
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Monkeypox Outbreak Information

Monkeypox is a rare illness caused by an orthopox virus that is related to the smallpox virus. While generally less severe than smallpox, monkeypox can be a serious illness. In Africa, 1-10% of persons with monkeypox die. There have not yet been reports of deaths from recent cases in Europe. The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox. Infected persons often develop fever and body aches, which are followed by a characteristic rash on the face, arms, and legs. The rash can involve the palms. The illness generally lasts two to four weeks. The virus is not easily spread between people, but it can spread through contact with bodily fluids or lesions as well as through large respiratory droplets that do not travel more than a few feet.

MONKEYPOX STATISTICS (as of July 5, 2022)

Suspect CasesConfirmed Cases
Global (1)516219

PUI*Likely Cases**Confirmed Cases
USA---0459
California---085

1: Per Global Health Interactive Outbreak Tracker
*Persons under investigation (suspect cases with tests pending)
**Persons with positive orthopox tests with confirmatory testing for monkeypox pending

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