Who's Getting Monkeypox in Louisiana?

Numbers release by the Louisiana Department of Health shows a disparity of cases of monkeypox when you look at race. The demographic data shows 60% of monkeypox cases in Louisiana have occurred among Black residents while only about 27% of cases are among white Louisianans. Images

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And of these cases, nearly 95% have occurred in males. LDH will now be releasing this data each week to keep track of the cases and the demographic data.

Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also shows the national monkeypox outbreak is disproportionately affecting minorities in America. The data, collected from 43 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico between May 17 and July 22 show that Black people make up 12% of the population but 26% of all monkeypox cases, while Hispanic people accounted for 19% of the population and 28% of all cases.

So, while those groups make up about a third of the U.S. population, they account for more than half of the cases.

"We felt it was critical to release this analysis so we could shine a light on these disparities and the need for us all to do more," said LDH State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. "This requires a whole of Louisiana effort. Now that we have more vaccine supply, we will be able to do many more community vaccination events. This is a priority for the Department -- we must do all we can to protect our at-risk residents and communities."

LDH is now moving forward with a campaign to get the message out to at-risk groups to help raise awareness about monkeypox.

Cases have turned up in six of Louisiana’s nine public health regions, including at least one case in the Shreveport area. But the vast majority of the cases are identified in southeast Louisiana.

How Do You Get Monkeypox?

"People most commonly get monkeypox through close and sustained skin-to-skin contact, including but not limited to intimate and sexual contact. The virus can also spread through contact with body fluids such as saliva or fluid from the lesions of infected individuals or by touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox."

What's the Best Way to Prevent Monkeypox?

The JYNNEOS vaccine has been declared safe and effective. This vaccine requires two doses, and it takes 14 days after getting the second dose of JYNNEOS to reach maximum protection. People interested in receiving the vaccine can visit the list of locations in Louisiana that have received vaccine. People can also call 211 to get their monkeypox questions answered.

Vaccinations to protect against Louisianans against monkeypox are now available for:

Gay, bisexual, other (cis or trans) men who have sex with men OR transgender women and nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men AND have had intimate or sexual contact with multiple or anonymous partners in last 14 days.

Anyone who has had intimate or sexual contact with other men in a social or sexual venue in the last 14 days.

Anyone who has given or received money or other goods/services in exchange for sex in the last 14 days.

Nearly 1,000 people were vaccinated against monkeypox at events held at LGBTQ bars in New Orleans. LDH formally requested and received approval for technical assistance from CDC ahead of Southern Decadence in New Orleans; a team specializing in vaccines, communications, behavioral science, epidemiology and logistics has begun its remote deployment and is working closely with LDH and NOHD teams.