SANTA CLARA (KCBS RADIO) – As monkeypox continues to spread across the world and the Bay Area, it disproportionately affects certain members of the population more than others.
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Santa Clara County is no exception. According to a release issued by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department on Wednesday, gay and bisexual men, particularly gay and bisexual Latino and Hispanic men, are contracting the disease more than others.
As of Wednesday, there were 39 total monkeypox cases in Santa Clara County, and 21 of those were among Hispanic or Latino men.
"It's little over half belong to the Latinx community," said Dr. Sara Cody, Health Officer and Director of the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. "Most are among men who have sex with men. And this is similar to the pattern that's being seen in other parts of the Bay Area and across the country."
While anyone can contract the disease, the outbreak seems to be spreading more in men who engage in sex with other men
According to the release, county officials are working closely with LGBTQ+ community organizations to reach high-risk people and connect them to prevention, testing, treatment, and vaccination.
In the last week, more than 500 people that were referred by these organizations to two vaccine clinics were vaccinated.
Like San Francisco and other Bay Area counties with vaccine shortages, Santa Clara health officials have been working to get more.
"We received news of an additional allocation of vaccines from the state," said Cody. This latest allocation from the federal government, to the state, to the counties includes 700 doses.
Vaccines are currently being given only by appointment or invitation, with 380 slots filled at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Expo Hall Wednesday and Thursday. More appointments will be opened as additional doses arrive.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It's spread through skin-to-skin contact and symptoms include notable lesions that appear on people's skin. This also means it's wise to avoid contact with people who have a rash, or with clothing or bedding that someone with a rash may have touched.
Treatment involves getting a vaccine before exposure or soon after exposure within 4 days but up to 14 days after.
Anyone with questions about vaccine eligibility or for other information can go to sccphd.org/monkeypox.
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