North Fairfax News

Dear FCPS Staff and Families,

With the emerging concerns regarding the monkeypox virus, we want to provide you with information about the precautions that FCPS is taking in partnership with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). This is a serious health concern that may touch our entire community.

What is Monkeypox?

According to the CDC and FCHD, monkeypox is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Disease can spread through close contact including: 

Direct skin-to-skin contact with monkeypox rash or scabs.

Body fluids from a person with monkeypox.

Sexual contact including kissing.

Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox.

Exposure to respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox Signs and Symptoms

Illness usually begins about 6-13 days after exposure, but possibly as long as 17 days, and can include:

Fever

Chills

Headache

Muscle aches

Backache

Swollen lymph nodes

Exhaustion

After 1-3 days of illness, a rash develops progressing from red bumps to fluid filled sores (vesicles) and pustules. There may only be several monkeypox sores or the sores may be widespread. The rash may be located on or near the genitals or anus, but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

Monkeypox in Fairfax County

Since May 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox has occurred. As of Tuesday, August 16, there have been 56 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Fairfax County. To date, monkeypox has been rare in children nationwide; in Virginia, monkeypox cases have ranged in age from 18-70. 

Prevention in FCPS

Per CDC recommendations, we encourage our community to prevent the spread of monkeypox by engaging the following steps: 

1. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox.
   • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
   • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
2. Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
   • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
   • Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
3. Wash your hands often.
   • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

Additional prevention strategies may be implemented in athletics or activities that are sport specific. Information regarding any additional prevention strategies in athletics or activities will be disseminated to participating students through the school’s Director of Student Activities.

FCPS Response Protocol

FCPS has worked with the communicable disease experts at the health department to develop a response protocol for FCPS. FCPS will provide a notification letter from the health department to the entire school community if a positive case is identified at a school site and it is deemed that exposures may have occurred in the school setting. FCHD Public Health experts will identify people who may have been exposed and contact parents and guardians if it is determined that a child needs to be tested or monitored. Vaccination also can prevent infection in those who have recently been exposed to monkeypox.

FCPS will continue the disinfection and sanitization processes that were begun in response to COVID-19, which are also effective against monkeypox. At least once a day, high touch surfaces, including counters, tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, stair rails, elevator buttons, desks, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks, are cleaned. Cafeteria tables and chairs will continue to be cleaned and disinfected using Virex II 256. Standard personal protective equipment (PPE) remains available for use. 

Guidance for Families

Children with a rash should stay home from school and be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This is true for all rash illnesses. Rash illnesses such as hand, foot and mouth disease and chickenpox are much more likely to affect children than monkeypox.

If you or your student has new or unexplained rash or symptoms consistent with monkeypox, seek medical care from your healthcare provider. If you do not have a health care provider, contact the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-267-3511. Your school’s public health nurse is also a good resource. The CDC recommends vaccinations for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and for those who are more likely to contract monkeypox.

Viruses do not discriminate by race, by religion or by sexual orientation. Our caring culture reminds us that we should treat each other with respect and dignity and that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. 

The CDC’s What You Need to Know about Monkeypox if You are a Teen or Young Adult is a good resource to educate about monkeypox. FCPS will continue to consult with the Health Department to provide updates to the community. 

Original source can be found here.