What Californians Need to Know About Monkeypox

By now you’ve probably heard of monkeypox, the latest disease making headlines as it spreads across the world.

Usually confined to Africa, the virus has recently taken root in countries that hadn’t been vulnerable in the past, including the United States. More than 1,000 cases have been detected nationwide this year, according to the C.D.C.

Over two years into the coronavirus pandemic, we’re all exhausted by the threat of infectious diseases. But let’s be clear: Monkeypox is unlikely to become the next Covid-19, as my colleague Knvul Sheikh explains. It’s not as contagious, and we’ve had tests and vaccines for the virus for years.

Still, health officials in California want people to be aware of what’s going on with monkeypox and to know how to stay safe.

As of Tuesday, the most recent day for which data is available, 186 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in California. The counties with the most cases are:

Monkeypox is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox, but it is typically a much more mild condition, experts say. Symptoms include a fever, headache, back and muscle aches, exhaustion and a painful rash with pustules that typically first appear on the palms or soles of the feet. It is rarely fatal.

The virus spreads through contact with the rash lesions, intimate touching such as kissing, or living with someone who has monkeypox. A majority of cases this year have been in young men, many of whom self-identify as men who have sex with men.

Monkeypox vaccines are in short supply, so officials in many places are limiting them to people who’ve tested positive for monkeypox or have been exposed.

That’s the case in San Francisco, home to more gay, bisexual and transgender men per capita than anywhere in the country. There, officials are begging the federal government for additional doses, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. “Would monkeypox receive a stronger response if it were not primarily affecting queer folks?” a county supervisor asked this week.

Though still rare, monkeypox cases are occurring on a higher per capita basis in San Francisco than elsewhere in the state. Los Angeles County may have the most cases, but it trails Sacramento and Alameda when adjusted for population.

Still, Los Angeles officials expanded vaccine eligibility on Monday to include additional high-risk populations. On Wednesday, Sacramento County and San Diego did the same.

If you’re not eligible for a vaccine, the C.D.C. recommends some common sense steps to avoid catching the virus: Avoid close contact with people with monkeypox, and with people with a rash that looks like monkeypox. Also, wash your hands often.

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Fresh strawberry pie.

Where we’re traveling

Today’s tip comes from Winnie Arnn:

“Balboa Park is truly the Jewel of San Diego every season of the year, but it really livens up in summer. The Natural History Museum stays open on Friday nights and one can get drinks on the roof. The carousel and children’s train is open daily, not just on weekends, and world famous Zoo has night time hours and opportunities to see the animals after dark.

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is my favorite of all. The organ — the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ — has free concerts on the weekends. But the time to head to the park is on a weekday: every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, bands perform in that gorgeous setting. This year’s first was an Elvis tribute band. The music ranges from jazz to country to big band era and we always go to hear the Navy Band and the Marine band — always exceptional with great vocalists as well.

Balboa Park — what’s not to love?”

Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We’ll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter.