Just as the Harvard community thought itself free of the clutches of COVID-19, it must now deal with the looming threat of yet another viral disease: Monkeypox. Described as the distant cousin of the much more perilous smallpox, Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, as well as a distinctive rash. Monkeypox can be spread through contact with someone with Monkeypox, their bodily fluids, or any objects, fabrics, and surfaces they have touched. As of now, there have been 16,603 confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the United States.
Ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a global health emergency on July 23, Harvard has been closely monitoring the rise in Monkeypox cases, especially in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has in fact confirmed a total of 265 confirmed cases, which is high relative to counts in the Midwest but average compared to counts in other East Coast states (i.e. New York, Georgia, and Florida whose numbers reach over a thousand). The Department of Public Health has responded by expanding the number of healthcare providers and locations offering vaccination across Massachusetts. While Massachusetts health officials have worked fast in vaccinating residents who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria for immunocompromisation, the reality is that vaccine availability is limited—even with the additional 2,000 doses the state received from the federal government.
Right now, Harvard University Health Services is monitoring the spread of Monkeypox in Massachusetts as well as building capacity for testing and vaccine referral. “As we have done for the last two academic years, we will continue to monitor state and local data on these public health matters, look to scientific experts, and draw from our campus and clinical experiences to help guide future decisions,” HUHS’s Executive Director Giang Nguyen wrote in a statement that was issued on August 10th. While HUHS has yet to announce any precautionary measures to prevent Monkeypox spread on campus, the department has been clear in stating the importance of upholding university core values during these trying times. “Mutual respect is a core value, so I ask that we all avoid any language or behaviors that stigmatize individuals or communities with monkeypox infections,” Nguyen wisely remarked.
Lauren Kim ’25 (lauren_kim@college.harvard.edu) writes News for the Independent.