Maryland is taking efforts to make more monkeypox testing, vaccination and public health resources available for high-risk populations. Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement released Tuesday that there is a limited supply of vaccines from the federal government and that the state is seeking more doses."While vaccine supply from the federal government is severely limited at this time, anyone who believes that they may need testing or treatment should contact their health care provider or local health department immediately," Hogan said in the statement. "We will keep pressing the federal government to provide more vaccines to the states and do all we can to make resources available to those at risk."| LINK: MDH monkeypox informationAs of Tuesday, the state reported 129 lab-confirmed monkeypox cases, which is about 2.2% of cases nationwide. The majority of cases have been reported in the national capital region of Maryland. Case counts are updated daily by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Doctors discuss monkeypox cases in MarylandBaltimore City is getting a limited number of additional monkeypox vaccines as cases in the state continue to rise.While it doesn't present the same threat as COVID-19, researchers said everyone needs to do their part to keep the virus from spreading.Maryland has reported 149 cases of monkeypox, but researchers say that number is probably an underestimate because testing is so hard to come by. But doctors said now is the time to make sure to keep the virus under control. But doctors said everyone should be aware of monkeypox as cases are on the rise nationwide and in Maryland.It's a virus that can be serious, even deadly. It causes flu-like symptoms and rash, lesions or blisters on the body."People can have just a limited number of blisters, particularly if they're in areas of the body that are hard to see. Sometimes these symptoms can go unnoticed by people," said Dr. Andy Pekosz, virologist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.The virus spreads through extended close contact with those blisters or with materials, like bedding used by someone with the virus. Doctors said the cases are still very low, so catching it in a hotel bed isn't likely but it's more possible anywhere people are living in close contact. "As we move to a new school year and college students moving back into dormitories, those represent places where monkeypox could potentially be places where monkeypox could be spread," Pekosz said.There are no drugs specifically to treat monkeypox but there is a vaccine that can help even after you've been exposed.The CDC recommends getting vaccinated if you've been exposed – or are in a group that's considered high risk.Researchers said the virus is very different from COVID-19 and doesn't carry the same threat of becoming widespread, but they want to keep the outbreak from becoming endemic. "What we really don't want to do is lose control of this disease where, essentially, there's a reservoir of people with it in the population and now we have to live with monkeypox as an additional disease that we all have to watch out for on a day-to-day basis in the future," said Dr. Esti Schabelman, chief medical officer of Sinai Hospital.Monkeypox vaccine in MarylandTo date, the state said the federal government has allocated to MDH enough doses to vaccinate 3,202 patients with the two-dose Jynneos vaccine.Vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, and additional supply may not be available until the fall.Based on CDC guidelines, state and local health officials are prioritizing vaccination courses for:Public health identified close contacts: Known close contacts who are identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments.Occupational exposure: Health care workers who may have been exposed to a known case and Laboratory Response Network (LRN) or other laboratory staff working directly with monkeypox testing.In addition, state and local health officials will follow CDC guidelines to make vaccines available to the following categories of individuals based on supply:Self-identified partners of cases: Individuals who are aware that one of their sexual partners from the past two weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox.Affected community members: Individuals in high-risk populations who report any of the following in the past two weeks:Recent group sex or sex with multiple partners.Sex or employment at a venue or in association with an event, venue, or defined geographic area where monkeypox transmission has been reported.The most doses have been made available to jurisdictions that report the highest incidence of known cases and exposures, the state said. Individuals who believe they are eligible for vaccination should contact their local health department.Monkeypox testing in MarylandTesting for monkeypox is available through commercial labs and the MDH state public health laboratory. It is not available to purchase off store shelves.Anyone who believes they were exposed to monkeypox or have an illness that could be monkeypox should contact their medical provider.People without a provider or insurance should visit the MDH website to find contact information for their local health department. Health care providers should educate patients on home isolation while results are pending.MDH and local health departments are conducting contact tracing for all presumed cases. Individuals identified as having close contact with case patients have been offered vaccination through their local health department, in accordance with CDC guidelines.Meanwhile in Baltimore, the Baltimore City Health Department said it received an additional limited number of monkeypox vaccine doses, but only offering them to a limited number of eligible residents.People who believe they meet the criteria for vaccination can contact the city's Sexual Health Clinics beginning Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.Eastern (1200 E. Fayette St.): 410-396-9410Druid (1515 W. North Ave.): 410-396-0176How monkeypox is spreadHuman monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but generally causes a milder infection, MDH said. It can be spread between people through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids or contaminated materials such as clothing or linens. It can also be spread through large respiratory droplets, which generally cannot travel more than a few feet, and prolonged face-to-face contact is required.Symptoms of monkeypoxPresenting symptoms typically include fever, chills, new swelling of lymph nodes and a distinctive rash that often starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body; however, onset of rash lesions elsewhere in the absence of other symptoms has been reported, MDH said.Symptoms generally appear seven to 14 days after exposure and, for most people, clear up within two to four weeks. Individuals identified as having been potentially exposed to this case will be monitored for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.Be aware for these criteriaMDH said that while the risk of human monkeypox transmission remains low, the public is strongly encouraged to stay alert for any symptoms of the illness and to seek medical care immediately, especially if you meet the criteria:Those who traveled to central or west African countries, parts of Europe where monkeypox cases were reported, or other areas with confirmed cases of monkeypox the month before their symptoms began;Those who have had close contact with a person with confirmed or suspected monkeypox; orThose who have had close or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, which includes men who have sex with men.