A healthy return to Rowan

As we prepare for an exciting academic year, it’s vitally important to make smart decisions to protect yourself and others from viruses and other diseases, including COVID-19, monkeypox and flu. Doing so will keep you healthy and will contribute to keeping our entire Rowan University community safe and strong.

COVID-19 Update

Throughout the pandemic, the University community learned how to manage the spread of COVID-19 and put into place safety measures that protected members of our community well. 

This fall, the University will continue to follow current CDC and State of New Jersey protocols. The Wellness Center will continue to work with county and state medical experts, track cases throughout the region and on our campuses, and monitor the general health of residential students through wastewater testing. 

While masks are required only in clinical settings, we once again ask everyone to be supportive of people’s choice to protect themselves and their loved ones from illness by wearing masks. 

We ask that members of our community continue to care for themselves and each other by practicing good hand hygiene and taking appropriate precautions when feeling ill.

Free COVID-19 vaccines will be available on Friday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Robinson Circle, Glassboro campus. Vaccines are available for all students and staff. No reservations are required.

Monkeypox

There has been much reported in the media about monkeypox, particularly since it has been declared a national health emergency. While there have been no deaths in the United States from the virus, monkeypox cases have been confirmed in 49 states, including New Jersey.

Here’s some helpful information about monkeypox:

Transmission

Monkeypox is transmitted primarily through close, personal, skin-to-skin contact, such as:

• sexual activity;
• direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids from a person with the virus;
• contact with respiratory secretions;
• or prolonged exposure to fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with the virus.

Symptoms

Monkeypox first presents as flu-like symptoms, including a fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache and respiratory symptoms. The illness then progresses to lesions that will go through several stages before healing. The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. 

A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus.

Though the rash may resemble chicken pox, the virus is not related to chicken pox. Though it is often spread through close, skin-to-skin contact, it is not a sexually transmitted disease. 

Treatment

Most people with monkeypox recover fully within two to four weeks without the need for medical treatment.

Some with weakened immune systems may require treatment by a healthcare provider. There is no specific treatment for monkeypox, but drugs and vaccines similar to the ones used for smallpox may be effective.

Vaccines are in limited supply in New Jersey and are being offered only to people who have experienced the following in the past 14 days: been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus; attended an event with a known monkeypox exposure; or have had multiple sexual partners or anonymous sexual encounters in an area with known monkeypox.

Protect yourself

According to the CDC, here at the best ways to protect yourself against monkeypox:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sexual relations with someone with the rash or scabs and do not touch the rash or scabs of someone with the virus.
• Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used. This includes bedding, towels, and clothing, as well as utensils and cups.
• Wash your hands often.

Finally, if you do have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms, avoid close or intimate contact with anyone until you are seen by a health care provider.

On-campus monitoring and testing

Rowan health officials are working closely with local and state health officials, as well as health systems, to identify new cases and minimize transmission of monkeypox.

The Wellness Center can test for monkeypox in students that present with lesions and who have symptoms and confirmed exposure to the virus. Testing involves specimen collection from the rash site. Routine testing is not available since the test requires a patient to have a rash.

The University community will be informed if there is a monkeypox case on campus. Through contact tracing procedures, anyone who has come in contact with that individual will be notified privately and will receive education and recommendations.

Because transmission of monkeypox is primarily through skin-to-skin contact, cancellation of large events, activities, or classes is not expected.

Anyone with questions about the virus or anyone who has been exposed to monkeypox should contact the Wellness Center at 856-256-4333.

Remember, staying healthy takes commitment—to yourself and to others. For all health related updates, including COVID-19 and flu clinic information, please visit www.rowan.edu/wellness. 

Yours truly:

Scott Woodside 

Director for the Wellness Center