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Mpox

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Though mpox has been a public health threat for years, in spring 2022 the disease spread much farther than previously and in many non-endemic nations, creating a broader crisis involving thousands of cases. Public health responded with vaccination efforts, guidance on disease detection and risk reduction, and other steps. The disease is caused by an orthopoxvirus and is in the same family as smallpox.

Mpox hits DR Congo hard as officials note sexual spread, 581 deaths

Stephanie Soucheray

This is the country's first outbreak defined by sexual transmission, with several early cases documented in sex workers.

mpox virus
Monkeypox lesions on arm and torso

Household contact, sex among risk factors in monkeypox cases in kids, teens

Stephanie Soucheray | News Reporter | CIDRAP News

Black children made up 47% of the 83 pediatric patients, with Latinos making up 35%.

Study suggests substantial before-symptom spread of monkeypox

Stephanie Soucheray

Data show 53% of infections are transmitted 1 to 4 days before symptoms appear.

News briefs

MSF details mpox outbreak in DR Congo

Mary Van Beusekom

Scientists develop mpox severity scoring system that could improve care, research

Mary Van Beusekom

Quick takes: H5N1 avian flu on fur farms, mpox & gonorrhea vaccination, polio in Guinea

Lisa Schnirring

Many mpox patients have other sexually transmitted infections, study shows

Mary Van Beusekom

Mpox vaccine seekers say they cut back on sex behaviors tied to viral spread

Mary Van Beusekom
Monkeypox Blisters - Yellow

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Jynneos vaccine protects against mpox hospitalization, study finds

People with both mpox and HIV accounted for 40.7% of all mpox cases in California during the study period and 56% of mpox-associated hospitalizations.

Stephanie Soucheray

Study spotlights breakthrough mpox in gay, bisexual men

While breakthrough infections were mostly mild, infection- and vaccine-induced immunity don't fully protect against mpox.

Mary Van Beusekom

Studies: Sex key to mpox spread among men who didn't have sex with men; 1% of cases occur in kids

Roughly 30% of patients reported no male-to-male sexual contact in the 3 weeks before symptom onset or were missing exposure information.

Mary Van Beusekom
Micrograph of mpox viruses

Quick takes: WHO mpox guidance, more Florida dengue, Powassan virus cases in Connecticut

The WHO guidance replaces temporary recommendations, Florida has 15 dengue cases now, and Connecticut confirms 4 people infected with the tick-borne Powassan virus.

Lisa Schnirring

Mpox studies highlight vaccine protection, along with disparities in uptake

One study found hospitalization was lower among older adults who received the vaccine, while another found significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in vaccine uptake.

Chris Dall
Older man with vaccine band-aid

Quick takes: Polio in 3 nations, global mpox, animal flu resource, Ebola/Marburg guidance

Pakistan has its second wild poliovirus type 1 case of the year, 4 countries report rising mpox, and the WHO has new resources.

Lisa Schnirring

BARDA orders more Jynneos mpox vaccine

Bavarian Nordic has received a US government contract for $120 million to manufacture more of its Jynneos smallpox/mpox vaccine.

Jim Wappes

Study shows proctitis as predictor of mpox among symptomatic men

Meanwhile, new clinical findings from Tokyo suggest that asymptomatic mpox cases are underestimated.

Stephanie Soucheray

Route of mpox vaccine administration did not affect uptake, study finds

The rate of series completion of two doses was similar for intradermal or subcutaneous administration, at 60.2% and 58.8%, respectively.

Stephanie Soucheray
mpox viruses

Quick takes: Global mpox cases, UK measles threat, polio in Africa

The WHO reports 316 new mpox cases and 2 new deaths, and the UK warns about a rise in measles transmission.

Lisa Schnirring