As we’re still recovering from several years of battling COVID-19, another contagious disease has emerged: monkeypox.

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern.” It received this classification because it’s spreading rapidly through new modes of transmission that health officials are working to understand at this time.

Monkeypox has been a concern for years in African countries, but in recent weeks, the virus has spread worldwide across at least 75 countries.

Consequently, the Chester County Health Department has activated its Monkeypox Health Operation Center (HOC) and is focused on several concurrent priorities, including testing, vaccination, and antivirals.

Information and guidance for monkeypox are rapidly changing and expanding every week. As such, the county’s response remains fluid. Remain up to date through the CDC’s, PA Department of Health’s, and the Chester County Health Department’s websites.  

Questions can be directed to the Chester County Health Department’s Health Operation Center at healthoperationscenter@chesco.org.