Current Regional Incidents and Resources

Emergencies can occur at any moment. SSU encourages our campus community to stay prepared for any emergency. We are a resilient community and together we can all stay safe and well. 

Current Regional and Statewide Incidents

Special Notice: Monkeypox

SSU is currently monitoring Monkeypox in the local community. SSU stands in ready posture with a response plan should SSU experience any cases of Monkeypox.  Although it is a viral infection, monkeypox does not behave or transmit like COVID-19. Monkeypox is less contagious than COVID-19 and is largely spread by intimate contact, including kissing, hugging and sexual activity, between an infected or contagious individual and another person. Currently, the vast majority of cases are in the social network of self-identified men who have sex with men, and they need the most support. In Sonoma County, as of August 5, there are only 17 cases of Monkeypox reported. At the moment, transmission to our campus community is low risk, outside of those individuals within high risk groups. Information on how Monkeypox is spread, symptoms, and local resources can be found below. 

Students can contact the Student Health Center for any questions related to Monkeypox or to seek medical care related to Monkeypox. 

Check back here for updates. 

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of monkeypox can include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
  • The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

How is Monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox spreads primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cuddling. Monkeypox can spread through touching materials used by a person with monkeypox that haven’t been cleaned, such as clothing and bedding. It can also spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact.    

  • Monkeypox can be spread through: 

    • Direct skin-skin contact with rash lesions 

    • Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing  

    • Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone 

    • Sharing towels or unwashed clothing 

    • Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox) 

  • Monkeypox is NOT spread through: 

    • Casual brief conversations 

    • Walking by someone with monkeypox, like in a grocery store  

What to do if you are diagnosed? 

If you are diagnosed with Monkeypox and are a student or employee, contact emergency@sonoma.edu. Students should also contact the Student Health Center. 

Resources for Monkeypox

Updated March 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Local Emergency Resources for Current Incidents

General Sonoma County Emergency Services Resources

The best source of local Sonoma County-specific information. 

2-1-1 for Sonoma County

2-1-1 Sonoma County, a program of United Way of the Wine Country, is the comprehensive information and referral service for Sonoma County. We connect Sonoma County callers, website-users and texters each year with information about health and human services available to them.

2-1-1 Sonoma County phone and text services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 is available in 150 languages through phone interpretation services.

During times of disaster, 2-1-1 provides incident-specific information in coordination with local emergency services, including road closures and shelters both locally and nationwide.

  • 2-1-1 website
  • Text "COVID19" to 211211 for Coronavirus Information

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Air Quality Incident Monitoring

To ensure accurate and consistent interpretation of the air quality index measurement that is being used in decision making, the university will apply the following standards:

  • Use 10 minute average readings
  • Use EPA conversion readings
  • Consider a certain level reached after 30 minutes of consistent or increasing readings

To view these readings on purpleair.com:

  • Navigate to purpleair.com and click on “View the Map”
  • If done automatically, navigate to the Rohnert Park area on the map and locate SSU
  • Identify the on-campus sensor (titled “Sonoma State University”) and click on the dot
  • In the lower left-hand corner of the screen, make sure the following settings are in place:
    • US EPA PM2.5 AQI
    • US EPA
    • Standard
    • 10 minute average graphs

Excessive Heat Warning

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) in Sonoma County

The best source of local Sonoma County-specific information including Department of Public Health Orders, current case count, and other relevant information. 

Power Shut Off/Rolling Blackout Resources

Wildfires

When reviewing the above wildfire maps, please be sure you are activating the VIIRS and MODIS layers to ensure accuracy of information.