Today on In the Hive, we piggyback on some coverage provided this week by City Cast Salt Lake on the local spread of monkeypox.
To date there have bee 42 cases of the viral disease in Utah, the bulk — 33 cases — in Salt Lake County. The virus primarily spreads through close physical contact involving skin-to-skin touch, and while the illness it causes is far less likely to be deadly than COVID, it can still be a painful experience to live through. The most common symptom of monkeypox is a new rash, but other symptoms can include fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and headache.
Currently, the virus is mostly impacting gay and bisexual men, but, as a health expert featured on the program says “that could change tomorrow.”
For today’s episode, host Ali Vallarta speaks with a Salt Laker who is dealing with the illness right now, and with a representative from the Salt Lake County Health Department.
Guests:
Nicholas Rupp, Communications Director with the Salt Lake County Health Department
Salt Lake City resident Addison Jenkins
Links:
SLCO Health monkeypox factsheet
SLCO Health landing page for monkeypox information (including vaccine eligibility).
Thanks to the team at City Cast Salt Lake for sharing this conversation with KCPW.
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