CUTTING THE REDLAND RIBBON Alabama now up to 53 cases of Monkeypox

Staff report TPI Staff

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now confirmed 53 cases of monkeypox in the state of Alabama. More cases are expected as testing increases.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the agency continues to respond to additional cases of monkeypox in the state and follow guidance from the CDC.

The ADPH investigates each case to provide education regarding isolation and potential treatment, as well as identify contacts who might benefit from the vaccine. Not all cases of monkeypox require treatment, but cases do need to isolate and follow infection control to reduce transmission of the virus to other people. Direct contacts of cases may benefit from vaccines given within four to 14 days of contact.

Alabama has received 1,271 doses of Jynneos vaccine and expects to receive about 4,600 additional doses. More vaccine doses will be made available, but the ADPH does not have allocation numbers, at this time.

Due to limited vaccine doses, the CDC has provided information for those persons at greatest risk to contract monkeypox virus. The public does not need to take Jynneos vaccine unless they are contacted about cases or have other risk factors. Postexposure vaccine will be made available to those who have been exposed to a person with monkeypox within the previous

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body had the forethought to say hey we can progress the state by bringing in hydroelectric to provide electricity around the state.”

Townsend said he has been with Alabama Power Company for a long time but not as long as some of the dams.

“[Alabama Power] started here in central Alabama between Birmingham and Montgomery with the creation of four dams — Lay, Mitchell, Martin and Jordan,” Townsend said. “Jordan, I think, is 94 years old and I believe the youngest of four.”

Townsend said the lakes and rivers provide electricity that many including himself sometimes take for granted.

“Just imagine going from having kerosene lights to the lightbulb where with the flip of a switch you have lights,” Townsend said. “I almost died during COVID when I didn’t have Netflix. We are pretty spoiled with electricity.”

Townsend oversees much of the public access to the lakes and rivers Alabama Power Company has permits to control and dam.

“Our main function is to meet people and provide access,” Townsend said. “People all around have piers, boat ramps adjacent to their property.”

Townsend said Alabama Power Company hasn’t forgotten about those who don’t have a lot of space on the lake-

14 days or to those who are at higher risk of being exposed.

County health departments in Alabama will have vaccines for those determined to need vaccines. ADPH is identifying additional healthcare providers to administer vaccines to persons at highest risk.

Anyone can be infected with monkeypox. In this outbreak, male-to-male sexual contact has been a risk factor.

Monkeypox is usually transmitted through close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact or through broken skin, respiratory droplets or mucous membranes. The CDC lists the following ways monkeypox is spread:

Direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs or body fluids

Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex

• Touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with monkeypox

Being scratched or bitten by an infected animal

Monkeypox causes a rash that starts as flat spots, which then becomes raised, develop into vesicles, and finally appear pustular. In this outbreak, some people have only had a rash, but other symptoms, such as fever, chills, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle aches and headaches can occur with the rash.

Monkeypox can spread from the time

See MONKEYPOX, Page A5 shore.

“You don’t have to live on the lake to use it,” Townsend said. “You can get out there.”

Townsend highlighted the two public boat ramps on Lake Jordan and how they provide access to recreation and tourism.

“They are used so much,” Townsend said. “The parking lots are large and on weekends they are full. There are a lot of fishing tournaments there. It’s free launching. You can launch into the lake.”

While generating electricity is the number one priority, permitting through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires the power company to keep large amounts of property around the company’s 12 reservoirs natural and undisturbed.

“It is just in a natural state,” Townsend said. “You can hike on it. You can utilize the property around the lake. We have bird watching clubs. It’s for everyone to use.”

Townsend even highlighted the Swayback and Jordan’s Journey trails on Lake Jordan.

“It almost surprises you that you are exercising,” Townsend said. “It sneaks up on you and you realize that you walked three miles. You see some sights.”

The same goes for the other lakes too.

“It is our goal to have a hiking trail on every lake,” Townsend said. “We have land dedicated to be natural and undeveloped. We are not going to sell it to a mini mart company. We are not going to develop it. It’s going to remain natural.”

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