Monkeypox Guidance

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 can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.  The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.   

Symptoms include a rash that may look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside mouth, and other parts of the body, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, fever, headache, muscle and backache 

  • If you experience a fever, do not come to work or attend class until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication. 
  • If you are not feeling well, do not come to work or attend class. 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  • Avoid large crowds, this includes parties, clubs, and social gatherings. 
  • Avoid crowding dorm rooms, sleepovers, sharing drinks and eating utensils. 
  • Practice social distancing whenever possible. 
  • Take advantage of virtual meeting options. 
  • A mask should be worn properly, covering your nose and mouth. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. 
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow, if tissue is unavailable. 
  • Do not share worn face masks, and wash face masks often using warm water and soap. 
  • Do not share pens, pencils, stylus, keyboards, phones, etc. 
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
  • Maintain adequate sanitizing supplies, including soap, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, sprays, 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and disinfecting solutions. 
  • Before traveling, check international and national travel advisories. 
  • Avoid close and intimate contact 
  • Avoid skin to skin contact
  • Avoid direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
  • Avoid prolonged face to face contact and avoid during intimate physical contact
  • Avoid items that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
  • It is also possible for people to get Monkeypox from infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal.   
  • There are no treatments specifically for Monkeypox virus infections, however, Monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat Monkeypox.   
  • Vaccines are available at most county health departments.   
  • Most individuals with monkeypox recover without vaccine administration.  

Eligibility

  • Known contacts who are identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments.
  • A person of any gender identity or sexual orientation with any of the following:
    • Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners with men who have sex with men in the last 14 days Have had skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons who have had a rash or are suspected of having monkeypox in the last 14 days.
    • Have had skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons at large venues or events in the past 14 days.
    • Have engaged in commercial and/or transactional sex in the past 14 days (e.g., sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs)
  • Are HIV positive, or on HIV PrEP, or diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last 90 days.

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If you are concern about Monkeypox type symptoms and or rashes, we strongly encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get tested. Testing is available at most county health departments and local hospitals.     
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use Self Report to upload test results. Student Health Services and Human Resources will follow up on COVID-19 reporting. 
  • Guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health, ASU is following established guidelines regarding contact tracing and notification of impacted individuals. Consistent with those guidelines, ASU will provide notifications of positive tests to the Georgia Department of Public Health as required. 
  • The local Department of Public Health initiates contact tracing. ASU Student Health Services and Human Resources will provide assistance as needed. 
  • Contact tracing will include contacting individuals who have been exposed to someone with Monkeypox. 
  • If positive, isolation precautions are to be followed until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed; approx. 21 days.  
  • Student and employee will be advised to isolate off campus.   
  • Students and employees may return to campus when they have met the above criteria and have been without fever for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications.)  
  • The infected individual should avoid exposure to any immunocompromised person. 
  • Roommates and others with whom the individual is routinely in close contact will have already been exposed by the time of diagnosis. Testing should be done if rash develops. 
  • Isolation is to be completed at home. 

CDC defines Monkeypox exposure as unprotected contact between a person’s skin or mucous membranes and the skin, lesions, or bodily fluids from a positive individual. Monkeypox exposure also includes contact with contaminated materials such as linens, clothing and shared items.    

Alternate Educational Arrangement (Students)

Contact Student Health Services
Email: studenthealthservices@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-3544.

Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations requests will be reviewed in accordance with AEA guidelines.    

American Disabilities Act (ADA) or accommodations or flexible work arrangements requests will be reviewed in accordance with ADA guidelines.  

Alternate Work Arrangement (Employees)

Contact Human Resources
Email: hrasu@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-2026

Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) or accommodations requests will be reviewed in accordance with AWA guidelines.    

Telework
Contact Supervisor
Pursuant to USG policy, department heads or their designees have the authority to establish teleworking arrangements. Under no circumstances should telework be considered an employee right or entitlement. All telework requests and designations are based upon management discretion, in accordance with a determination of what best serves the institution and students.

Pursuant to this policy, all SIAC student-athletes, athletic related staff, coaches, officials, and auxiliary groups such as marching bands, dancers and cheerleaders participating in SIAC-sponsored sports will adhere to the Guidelines of SIAC.    

If you have questions, comments, or concerns please email the COVID-19 Taskforce at covid19@asurams.edu or Student Health Services at studenthealthservices@asurams.edu.