Communicable Diseases
Monkeypox Information and Resources
Monkeypox is a viral infection that can spread through skin-to-skin contact, body fluids, monkeypox sores or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox. The virus can also be spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. Although monkeypox is not generally considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can be transmitted during intimate contact and sex by skin-to-skin and other intimate contact, reguardless of gender or sexual orientation.
People with monkeypox sometimes develop a flu-like illness with fever, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes followed by a rash. In other instances, people just develop a rash with or without swollen lymph nodes, which can occur on the genitals and/or around the anus. People usually develop monkeypox 7 to 14 days (and up to 21 days) after being exposed.
The Health Department encourages the following individuals to call and seek guidance from their medical provider.
- Recently traveled to an area where monkeypox cases have been reported and you have symptoms of monkeypox especially if you have a rash or lesions. You can find a list of countries where monkeypox has been reported on the CDC website
- People who have symptoms of monkeypox, particularly the characteristic rash or lesions
- Contact with a confirmed or suspected monkeypox case
Reduce your risk of getting or spreading monkeypox by:
- Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact including kissing with people who have a rash, sores, or confirmed monkeypox
- Do not handle, touch or shake bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with rash, sores, or confirmed monkeypox
- Do not share eating utensils or cups of a person with monkeypox
- Washing your hands often
- Covering your coughs and sneezes
- Cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces and objects
Resources:
CDC information: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html
Iowa Department of Public Health information: https://idph.iowa.gov/ehi/monkeypox
National case count: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html
Iowa case count: https://idph.iowa.gov/ehi/monkeypox
COVID-19 Vaccine
While Pottawattamie County Public Health no longer is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, you may obtain the COVID-19 vaccine at any of the following locations:
- All Care Health Center & Pharmacy
- CHI Health Clinic & Pharmacy
- Children's Physicians, Council Bluffs
- CVS Pharmacy (Metro Crossing)
- Hy-Vee Pharmacy
- Lehan Pharmacy
- Methodist Physicians Clinics
- Super Saver Pharmacy
- Union Pharmacy
- Walgreens Pharmacy
- Walmart Pharmacy
Call the pharmacy/clinic for additional details.
COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19 drive-through testing is available at the Hy-Vee Pharmacy on West Broadway and Walgreens Pharmacy.
Free take-home test kits are available from:
- All Care Health Center
- Avoca Journal-Herald Newspaper
- City Halls in Carson, Carter Lake, Macedonia, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, and Walnut
- Pottawattamie County Public Health
- Super Saver Pharmacy
CHI Health Clinics and Methodist Health Clinics also provide COVID-19 testing.
Order At-Home Tests
The federal government has made up to 4 test kits per household free of charge.
Additional Resources
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