Mpox can cause symptoms like a rash , which may look like pimples, blisters, or sores. Often a person will have a flu-like illness before the rash appears. 

For more information visit the CDC web page Signs and Symptoms.

Mpox does not spread easily from person-to-person. Most cases are spreading through close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has mpox.

For more information visit the CDC web page How It Spreads.

It is important for anyone experiencing a new, unexplained rash to notify a doctor. If possible, call ahead before going to a health care facility and tell them that you are concerned about mpox. 

• If you have mpox symptoms, talk with a healthcare provider, ask about getting tested for mpox, isolate at home, and avoid close physical contact until a health care provider can examine you. 

• If you need assistance finding a free or low-cost health care provider, you are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or visit https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/ for support.

• If you have additional questions, call the Health Department at 715-839-6988 and leave a detailed voicemail. 

Eau Claire City-County Health Department is vaccinating eligible people by appointment only. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

It is important for anyone experiencing a new, unexplained rash to notify a doctor. If possible, call ahead before going to a health care facility and tell them that you are concerned about mpox. 

• Known contacts who are identified by public health through case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments. 
  
  
• Presumed contacts who may meet the following criteria: 
  • People who know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with mpox. 
    
    
  • People who attended an event or venue where there was known mpox exposure. 
    
    
  • Gay men, bisexual men, trans men and women, any men who have sex with men, and gender non-conforming/nonbinary people who have had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days.
     
    
• People considered to have an elevated risk of exposure to mpox in the future:
  • Gay men, bisexual men, trans men and women, any men who have sex with men, and gender non-conforming/nonbinary people who:
    • Expect to have multiple or anonymous sex partners. This may include people living with HIV and people who take HIV pre-exposure because of increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.
    • Have a new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted infections: acute HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, or syphilis.
      
      
  • People who attended or were sexually active at an event or venue where there was known mpox transmission or exposure.
    
    
  • Sexual partners of people with the above risks.
    
    
  • People who anticipate experiencing the above risks.

   

  • Clinical laboratory personnel who perform testing to diagnose orthopoxviruses, including those who use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for diagnosis of orthopoxviruses, including mpox virus
    
    
  • Research laboratory workers who directly handle cultures or animals contaminated or infected with orthopoxviruses that infect humans, including monkeypox virus, replication-competent Vaccinia virus, or recombinant Vaccinia viruses derived from replication-competent Vaccinia virus strains.
    
    
  • Laboratory staff working with lesion swabs that may contain orthopoxviruses. This includes staff that handle swabs of lesions from suspect mpox cases or test for things other than orthopoxviruses, including Varicella zoster virus or Herpes virus. This also includes microbiologists that do standard bacterial cultures from these lesion swabs.
    
    
  • Certain health care providers working in sexual health clinics or other specialty settings directly caring for patients with sexually transmitted infections.

Cost for vaccination: None.

Appointment times:

• Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (vaccination clinic hours vary by day).
  
  
• If you are eligible to get an mpox vaccine, please call 715-839-6988 and leave a detailed voicemail. A staff member will return your call shortly to schedule your appointment.