University News

MPV Information

August 23, 2022

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – As a new academic year begins, health officials at Beu Health Center at Western Illinois University want to share information about MPV (monkeypox virus) as a public health concern, which, like other viruses, can affect those in communal/close quarter living environments.

According to an MPV fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MPV virus spreads through saliva or mucus, and can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin and/or intimate contact.

Symptoms include (may vary from person to person):

- A rash that may be located on or near the genital area and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and backache
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough).

Individuals may experience all or only a few symptoms. In addition, some people have flu-like symptoms before the rash; some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms; and others only experience a rash. MPV symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus.

Students who have any symptoms should isolate themselves and contact Beu Health Center immediately by calling (309) 298-1888. Employees should isolate themselves at home, and contact their healthcare provider.

If a diagnosis for MPV is made, the student will be encouraged to return home. If that is not an option, the University has isolation facilities available.

In an effort to maintain a healthy campus community, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take the following precautions to avoid MPV:

- Practice safe sex and limit number of partners.
- 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.
- Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
- Do not share eating utensils and cups/beverages.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer often.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces with soap and water.

In addition, the CDC recommend that anyone who has a positive MPV diagnosis and/or is symptomatic should wear a face covering as the virus can be spread through respiratory droplets.

Additional information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing