Employee at University of Delaware diagnosed with monkeypox
NEWARK, Del. (CBS) -- There's growing fear and concern at the University of Delaware after monkeypox was confirmed on campus. The patient is a school employee and they're now in isolation at home, but incoming students say they're proceeding with caution.
The university says it has sent an email to all students and employees after reporting its first case of monkeypox. Now, it's working with the health department to identify anyone else who may have had close contact.
Across the University of Delaware's campus, the news is spreading fast after the school identified its first case of monkeypox only days before students move in for the new school year.
"I'm a freshman. This is my second day here," Ethan Weinerman said, "so obviously I'm a little worried that I'm not going to get to have the college experience."
The university says an employee was diagnosed with the virus Wednesday and is now in isolation and recovering at home.
"It's not related to activity on the university's campus," Jose Riera, vice president for student life at the university, said, "but we had already pre-determined we would make sure the community knew the first case."
The university tells Eyewitness News that it's working with the CDC and Delaware's health department, which identified six new monkeypox cases this week, bringing the state total to 17 cases.
UD says if a student contracts the virus, they must isolate at home until they are no longer contagious, which can take two to four weeks.
"We are trying to find that balance of raising awareness, but not inciting panic," Riera said. "It's not the same as COVID and we want to make sure people understand that."
Monkeypox is spread through close direct contact.
Dr. Marci Drees, the chief infection prevention officer with ChristianaCare, says everyone should take precautions.
"Making sure you have a conversation about any new symptoms and new rashes or anything like that before engaging in sexual contact," Drees said.
Now, the university is working to raise awareness and better educate students on how to protect themselves.
"I think that could be very helpful in stopping it and avoiding it to spread," Devyn Johnson said.
The university says it is providing testing on campus and it is looking to become a vaccine site soon.
Students move in this weekend. Classes resume on Aug. 30.