WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester health leaders are working with congregate areas, like shelters, group homes and schools, to put plans in place in case of an outbreak in monkeypox.

So far, there are two confirmed cases of the disease in Worcester.

Health and Human Services commissioner Dr. Mattie Castiel said the city is hoping to get more education out about the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, which is typically a rash, lesions, and flu like symptoms.

She also wants people to know what to do if they contract the disease.

"I think we can cut down on the transmission if people are aware of what this looks like, what the symptoms are, so that we don't pass it one to one another," said Castiel. "Some of things were trying to do in the city is make calls to shelters to educate the people who work there so they can pass it on to the residents that are there about monkeypox and what it's about."

Right now, there is only one vaccine site in the city at Aids Project Worcester. Dr. Castiel said they have given more than 100 vaccines.

Appointments must be made to get the vaccine and it's only available to someone who has been in contact with another person who was diagnosed with monkeypox or had presumed contact in an area with known cases.