Monkeypox Information

· Direct contact with a rash, scabs or body fluids from someone with a confirmed case of monkeypox.

· Contact with respiratory secretions.

· Touching objects or fabrics, including clothing, bedding, toys or towels, as well as surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox that have not been disinfected.

· Prolonged face-to-face contact, hugging, massage, kissing and sex.

· Contact your healthcare provider or Student Health Services at 239-590-7966 the same day symptoms appear.

· Avoid close contact with other individuals until you have been evaluated by a medical professional.

· Wear a face mask and keep any areas of the body with a rash covered.

· If a rash occurs, follow the CDC's isolation and prevention practices until:

o The rash can be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

o Testing is performed, if recommended by their healthcare provider, and the results are negative.

· Isolate immediately until you are cleared by your physician to return to normal activity. This is usually until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take 2 to 4 weeks. It is important to create an off-campus isolation plan in advance.

· If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets. When possible, use a separate bathroom.

· Obtain medical clearance prior to returning to campus, classes or other activities.

· Avoid use of contact lenses to prevent inadvertent infection of the eye.

· Avoid shaving rash-covered areas of the body, as this can spread the virus.

· The recommended isolation period for monkeypox is 2 to 4 weeks.

· Students and parents are expected to create a plan for isolation off campus prior to the start of the fall semester. Personal preparation is strongly encouraged well in advance of a possible infection.

· FGCU does not provide temporary isolation space to residential students. If a student contracts monkeypox, they need to follow their individual, offsite isolation plan, with students remaining off campus until it is safe to return.

o If a residential student is unable to isolate off campus due to extenuating circumstances, they may do so in their room.

o Residential students who isolate in their room are responsible for securing wrap-around services to address their personal needs, such as food, laundry and medical services.

· As with other contagious illnesses or long-term medical conditions, it is the responsibility of the student to provide medical excuses to professors, workplace supervisors or others who need to be aware of an absence. Faculty are expected to accommodate students who must miss class due to isolation or quarantine requirements, just as they would for other contagious illnesses, like COVID-19, flu or strep. Student Care Services can assist students by providing instructors with class absence notifications, but these alerts do not constitute an excused absence. 

Individuals exposed to the monkeypox virus can continue daily activities, such as going to work or class, as long as they do not experience any signs or symptoms consistent with monkeypox. However, those who have been exposed should continue to monitor their health for signs or symptoms consistent with the illness for 21 days after the date of their last exposure.

Learn about degrees of exposure from the CDC. 

· Clean surfaces with household disinfectants.

· Focus on disinfecting items and surfaces that were in direct contact with the skin of the person with monkeypox or are often in the presence of the person during isolation. Do not dust or sweep, as this may spread the particles.

· Laundry can be washed using regular detergent and warm water.

o Do not mix laundry with items of other uninfected members of the household.

o Do not shake or handle clothing and linens in a way that would disperse infectious materials.

· Soiled items should only be handled with proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves. Clothing should be worn that fully covers the skin and should be washed immediately after cleaning.

· Wash hands immediately after touching any lesions, surfaces or linens that have had contact with lesions.

· Friends, family or others without an essential need to be in the home should not visit.

· Do not share potentially contaminated items, such as bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths, drinking glasses or eating utensils.

· Clean surfaces with household disinfectants. Wear well-fitting protective gear, such as a medical-grade mask, when in close contact with others at home.

· Bathroom usage:

o If possible, use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household.

o After using a shared space, the patient should clean and disinfect surfaces, such as counters, toilet seats, faucets. Disinfectants should be used following activities like showering, using the toilet or changing bandages that cover a rash. Consider disposable gloves while cleaning if rash is present on the hands.

o Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap.

· For more guidance on cleaning and disinfecting homes or cars, visit the CDC’s website.

· Respect the confidentiality of one another’s medical information, and avoid rumors that could be untrue or hurtful to one another.