Dear Tulane Community:
We have been closely monitoring the spread of monkeypox in New Orleans and throughout the country to determine how this infectious disease might impact our campuses and surrounding communities. As always, our top priority is protecting the health of the members of our university community and our neighbors.
The World Health Organization and the U.S. federal government have declared monkeypox a public health crisis of international concern. As of Monday, August 29, 2022, the State of Louisiana has reported 174 cases. The majority of these cases have been in the New Orleans metro area. To learn more about monkeypox, how it is spread, how you can protect yourself against it and what you should do if you test positive for it, please visit the Campus Health website. We want to be sure that our community has information necessary to keep themselves and others safe.
Currently, there is a national shortage of the monkeypox vaccine. While anyone can contract monkeypox, the Louisiana Department of Health, in response to this shortage, has prioritized vaccinations for people with known exposure to monkeypox through contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus. The vaccine is also available for others in these high-risk categories. Current eligibility for the vaccine is limited to these groups based on the first diagnoses health officials have made. However, the criteria will be expanded as additional vaccine supplies become available and/or individuals from other groups are diagnosed.
Vaccine eligibility criteria are set by the Louisiana Department of Health. Please monitor their website for updates regarding vaccination recommendations. Individuals who believe they meet the criteria for vaccination and are interested in learning more about vaccine availability at Tulane may email monkeypoxvaccine@tulane.edu. Someone will follow up with you individually. Given our limited supply of vaccine, our top priority for vaccination remains people with known exposures to monkeypox patients. A list of other places offering the vaccination can be found here.
Guidance on symptoms and isolation procedures
Please visit the Campus Health website for detailed information about symptoms and other commonly asked questions, including isolation procedures.
See a healthcare provider immediately if you notice a new or unexplained rash or other monkeypox symptoms. Avoid close contact with others, as well as pets and other animals, until you are examined by a healthcare provider, get tested and receive the results.
If you test positive, immediately begin isolating and monitoring symptoms until your rash has healed entirely. The isolation period for monkeypox ranges from 14-28 days. You should only leave isolation to visit a healthcare provider or for an emergency. Cover the rash and wear a tight-fitting mask when you must leave isolation.
Students who are diagnosed with monkeypox by an off-campus physician should fill out the monkeypox reporting form to ensure that they are connected with the appropriate resources.
Students who live in on-campus housing and test positive for monkeypox will not be permitted to isolate in their on-campus residence. Given that monkeypox symptoms can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, it is best for students who test positive for monkeypox to isolate at home or in another familiar space where some controlled interactions with others is possible. We encourage students to arrange travel home via automobile to complete their isolation. We will provide temporary space while the student makes these arrangements and assist them in any way we can.
Students who have financial barriers to arranging their isolation, should complete the emergency aid form. Those who contract monkeypox may need to consider a course load reduction or medical withdrawal depending upon the severity of their cases.
Faculty and staff who test positive for monkeypox should immediately isolate at home. Given the long isolation period, faculty and staff should contact their dean or supervisor to determine the best course of action regarding remote work or leave.
It is distressing to be faced with another global health concern as we are still dealing with COVID-19. But we know that we can use the lessons learned over the past year to help protect our community. Whether you are a student, faculty or staff, know that the Tulane cares for you and wants to be your partner in helping you maintain or return to good health.