The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department confirmed two additional cases of monkeypox in Santa Barbara County adults on Tuesday, August 9, and both remain in isolation.
Currently, the total number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the county is three, with the first case being confirmed on Wednesday, August 3. Public Health said it has completed contact tracing with these persons to identify anyone who may have had close contact with them. Persons identified in contact tracing are being monitored for symptoms and the risk to the public remains low.
“This virus most commonly spreads through prolonged, direct physical contact with someone who is currently infectious,” said County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg. “It is highly unlikely to spread through short interactions that do not involve physical contact.”