Auburn University confirmed a student tested positive for monkeypox over the weekend, in an email sent to students Monday evening,
The student is now isolated outside of the Auburn area, and close contacts have been notified. The case is being monitored by the Auburn Med Clinic and the Alabama Department of Health.
According to the email, if the University receives more monkeypox confirmations, those in close contact will be notified and given information and instructions.
Monkeypox is a disease that can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache, muscle ache and backache and a rash.
These symptoms will typically begin to appear within three weeks of exposure to the virus. Some may get the rash first, followed by other symptoms or flu-like symptoms before the rash. Some may only experience a rash.
According to the CDC, the rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. It will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
Monkeypox can spread through close, personal, skin-to-skin contact, including through direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids, touching objects, fabrics and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox or contact with respiratory secretions.
The Med Clinic advises anyone who experiences monkeypox symptoms to make an appointment with them or to contact their own health provider.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Destini Ambus, senior in journalism, pursuing a minor in sociology is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
