Experts Highlight Crucial Prevention Techniques as CDC Announces Fresh Mpox Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have warned of a new potential risk of mpox due to a recent outbreak in the Midwest. Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak (formerly known as monkeypox) no longer a public health emergency. However, last week there were 21 confirmed cases of mpox in Chicago.

The CDC notes that the risk of infection increases with warmer weather, as large group gatherings become more frequent. Most cases have been reported in men who identify as gay, bisexual, or who have sex with other men. All of the cases have been reported as mild and none required hospitalization. Additionally, painful rectal symptoms that occurred in last year's outbreak are limited, and lesions appear to be smaller.

The CDC is currently working with the Chicago Health Department to find answers regarding why people in the cluster of cases have contracted mpox after Jynneos vaccination. Christopher R. Braden, MD, CDC mpox response incident manager, said that of the 21 cases in Chicago, five people who were vaccinated also were infected with HIV. However, he also noted that the vaccine is still quite effective in people with well-controlled HIV.

The CDC and the New England Journal of Medicine have released three reports showing that two shots of the Jynneos vaccine provided more protection than a single dose. The effectiveness estimates range from 36% to 75% for one dose and 66% to 86% for two doses of Jynneos vaccine. During last year's outbreak, a vaccinated person had about an 86% lower chance of acquiring symptomatic mpox than an unvaccinated person.

Dr. Braden and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, MD, White House national mpox response deputy coordinator, emphasized data showing that vaccination makes getting and spreading mpox less likely and may decrease the chances of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even if it doesn't prevent infection. More research is needed to understand if immunity after vaccination decreases with time and how long the vaccine protects against mpox infections.

Because of the ongoing risk for new cases and outbreaks of mpox, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated if you fall into a demographic with a higher risk of infection. Additionally, the CDC recommends using condoms during sex, particularly if you have multiple partners, inspecting partners for lesions before engaging in sexual activity, and avoiding skin-to-skin or mouth-to-skin contact.

In addition to pain, the symptom that can present the most concern is if the virus gets into the eyes and causes vision damage. While treatment for symptoms exists, they need to be closely managed by a qualified healthcare provider.

If you suspect that you might have mpox, reach out to a family practice physician or internist who you trust. If you don’t have a relationship with one, Dr. Schaffner suggested finding an infectious disease doctor who is familiar with sexually related infections. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of continued education on the disease and practicing prevention measures.

“When we had the outbreak last year, the two things that brought it to a close were the availability of the vaccine, but even more important the self-education that occurred in the gay and bisexual community,” Dr. Schaffner concluded. “People became more cautious in their sexual behaviors and that really helped enormously in reducing the number of new infections.”