Solano Public Health to hold virtual town hall on monkeypox virus

The Solano County Public Health Office (Solano Public Health) says it will hold a virtual town hall on the monkeypox virus outbreak later this month.

The town hall is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31 between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and will occur via the Cisco WebEx platform, which is similar to Zoom.

The meeting comes as Solano County has registered more than 20 confirmed or suspected case of the monkeypox virus locally since the domestic outbreak began earlier this year.

Monkeypox infections are rare, but the virus itself is highly-contagious and can be passed on through close physical contact with other people or with items used by those who are infected with the virus.

The virus has largely transmitted among men who have sexual contact with other men, but can be contracted by anyone, anywhere.

A vaccine has been approved for use in combatting symptoms associated with the monkeypox virus, with state and local officials giving priority to individuals who are associated with one or more social groups who are more-likely to be exposed to the virus.

The town hall with public health officials will include a question-and-answer session for community members who want more information about the monkeypox virus and Solano County's response to it. For more information on the virtual town hall, click or tap here.