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
- COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) - (February 2020)
- Drought - June 2022
- Winter storms/Freeze - January & February 2023
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.
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Monkeypox can be spread through:
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Direct skin-skin contact with rash lesions
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Sexual/intimate contact, including kissing
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Living in a house and sharing a bed with someone
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Sharing towels or unwashed clothing
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Respiratory secretions through prolonged face-to-face interactions (the type that mainly happen when living with someone or caring for someone who has monkeypox)
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Monkeypox is NOT spread through:
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Casual brief conversations
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Walking by someone with monkeypox, like in a grocery store
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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
- CDPH Communicable Disease Unit Information on Monkeypox
- County of Sonoma Disease Control on Monkeypox
- CDC Guidance on Monkeypox
- SSU's Student Health Center
Updated March 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.