Monkeypox in kids: what you need to know

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Kids are heading back to class and some parents are concerned about recent news of monkeypox and if it can spread in schools. 

Dr. Kris Bryant, M.D., at Norton Chilren’s Infectious Diseases says monkeypox is still incredibly rare in children. Worldwide there have been 30,000 cases of monkeypox and only 102 cases of children. 

There have only been 11 cases of monkeypox in Kentucky and all were adults. 

Monkeypox starts with a fever, flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash. Monkeypox can look like other common rashes in children like chicken pox, hand foot and mouth disease, poison ivy. 

“The most important thing parents can do to protect their children is to protect themselves. Because the small numbers of children who have been infected in this outbreak have actually been exposed to an adult with monkeypox, often an adult in the home,” said Dr. Bryant. 

The Jynneos vaccine can now be given to children under 18 who have been exposed to monkeypox under expanded use authorization.