Published: 8/6/2022 1:27:30 AM
Modified: 8/6/2022 1:24:24 AM
LEBANON — Dartmouth Health has established a hotline to address concerns from the public about monkeypox, according to a news release.
The hotline number is 603-650-1818 and it is operational Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon. The hotline is closed on Sundays.
Friday’s hotline announcement comes a day after the Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak in the United States to be a national health emergency. Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that causes skin lesions, often preceded or followed by flu-like symptoms, with possible complications including scarring, secondary infections, pneumonia, sepsis and loss of vision.
The current outbreak began in May. The disease was first detected in New Hampshire in late June. Vermont announced its first case on July 29.
Monkeypox is spread through close contact such as sexual activity; direct contact with a monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids from a person with monkeypox; touching objects, fabrics or surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox; or contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva from someone with monkeypox.
Symptoms may include fever; headache, muscle aches and backache; swollen lymph nodes; chills; exhaustion; respiratory symptoms; and a rash that goes through several stages and may be painful or itchy.
People who believe they may have monkeypox can call the Dartmouth Health hotline for information and should isolate at home and contact their primary care provider. It is not recommended that people visit an emergency department immediately.