Louisiana Department of Health Now Releasing Data for Louisiana Monkeypox Patients

Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced on August 18, 2022, that they have begun releasing additional demographic data for Louisiana monkeypox patients on the LDH monkeypox dashboard. These demographic statistics demonstrate stark racial disparities. According to LDH ,about 60% of monkeypox cases in Louisiana have been reported by Black Louisianans, whereas approximately 27% have been reported by White Louisianans.

Approximately 95% of the cases included in the August 18, 2022, demographic analysis have occurred in men.

Demographic data on monkeypox patients, including age, gender, race, and ethnicity, will be updated by LDH weekly on Wednesdays in the future.

According to new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national monkeypox outbreak is disproportionately harming minorities in the United States. The data, collected between May 17 and July 22 from 43 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, show that Black people account for 12% of the population but 26% of all monkeypox cases, while Hispanic individuals account for 19% of the population and 28% of all cases.

As a result, whereas these groups account for around one-third of the US population, they account for more than half of the cases.

“We felt it was critical to release this analysis so we could shine a light on these disparities and the need for sharpened attention,” said Louisiana Department of Health State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter. “This requires an intentional, concerted effort. As our vaccine supply increases we will be able to offer protection to more at-risk individuals. This is a priority for the Department — we must do all we can to protect our at-risk residents and communities.”

With equity in mind, LDH has prioritized awareness-raising, targeted communications to at-risk groups, and collaborations with trusted local providers and community organizations to assist in identifying and removing barriers, sharing critical information, and organizing vaccination events in trusted venues. The Department has developed and continues to update and expand its toolkit for partners, with communications assets in multiple languages; it has maintained its advertising campaign on dating apps and social media platforms that serve LGBTQ people in Louisiana; and it has maintained regular community partner calls and briefings.

While cases have been found in six of Louisiana’s nine public health regions, the vast majority of them have been found in southeast Louisiana. During the first community vaccination programs performed by LDH in LGBTQ bars in New Orleans, about 1,000 people were vaccinated against monkeypox. LDH formally requested and obtained CDC approval for technical help ahead of Southern Decadence in New Orleans; a team specializing in vaccinations, communications, behavioral science, epidemiology, and logistics has began its remote deployment and is working closely with LDH and NOHD staff.

According to LDH, close and sustained skin-to-skin contact, including but not limited to intimate and sexual contact, is the most common way for people to contract monkeypox. Contact with body fluids such as saliva or fluid from infected individuals’ lesions, as well as touching objects, materials (clothes, beds, or towels), and surfaces used by someone with monkeypox, can also spread the virus.

JYNNEOS is a monkeypox vaccination that is both safe and efficacious. The vaccination requires two doses, and optimum protection is obtained 14 days following the second dosage of JYNNEOS. Those interested in receiving the vaccine can find more information on the LDH monkeypox webpage, which includes a list of places in Louisiana that have received the vaccine. People can also contact 211 to seek answers to their monkeypox questions.

Vaccinations to protect against monkeypox are currently available for Louisiana residents who are: 

• Gay, bisexual, other (cis or trans) men who have sex with men OR transgender women and nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men AND
• Have had intimate or sexual contact with multiple or anonymous partners in the last 14 days or
• Have had intimate or sexual contact with other men in a social or sexual venue in the last 14 days
• OR Individuals (of any sex/gender identity) who have given or received money or other goods/services in exchange for sex in the last 14 days