Mpox virus alert: what to watch for and how to protect yourself

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:29:00 EDT

By Kimberly Carr

Late this summer, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared its highest level of global alert for the mpox virus outbreak – a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Now, with India's first reported case of the new clade 1 strain, it is still ongoing.

“The WHO declaration is not a surprise,” said Jennifer Hanrahan, DO, Professor and Chief of Infectious Disease at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. “There have been smaller outbreaks of mpox previously, and it is not clear why outbreaks come and go. Mpox can spread through skin contact when someone has skin lesions, so it is not surprising that there is a larger outbreak taking place.”

According to the WHO, mpox is caused by a virus in the smallpox family, and can produce symptoms including:

• painful rash
• enlarged lymph nodes
• fever
• headache
• muscle ache
• back pain
• low energy

It spreads person to person mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. Mpox can cause severe illness and even death in people who are immunocompromised including people who have untreated HIV or AIDS.

While the smallpox vaccine does protect against mpox, there is a safer vaccine now available for people who are at risk of contracting the disease. Two doses are required 28 days apart, and this confers a high level of protection. Boosters are not recommended at this time for people who were previously vaccinated and for people who previously had mpox.

If you think you have been exposed to the virus and especially if you have signs or symptoms of mpox, you should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. The Jynneos vaccine offers protection if given within 4 days of exposure, and can decrease severity of illness when given within 4-14 days of exposure.

For health care providers, Dr. Hanrahan said they should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and testing for mpox. “Counsel people to get vaccinated if they are at high risk, and that treatment is available for severe disease and those at high risk of severe illness.”

For more information on mpox and to make an appointment with EVMS Infectious Disease specialists, contact our office at 757-446-8999.