The CDC issues a warning about a potential Mpox outbreak this summer

 

 The Emergency Email and Wireless Network reports:

Health Alert Update Sunday, May 21, 2023

The CDC issues a warning about a potential Mpox outbreak this summer. 

Health authorities have issued a warning about a potential Mpox outbreak this summer. The CDC claims that "the outbreak is not over."The following details were disseminated by the CDC via the CDC Health Alert Network:

Summary
Since reaching their peak in August 2022, mpox cases in the US have decreased, but the outbreak is still ongoing. 

Case reports indicating continued community transmission in the United States and abroad are still coming in to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An outbreak of mpox cases in the Chicago area is being looked at this week by the CDC and regional partners. A total of 12 confirmed and one probable cases of mpox were reported to the Chicago Department of Public Health between April 17 and May 5, 2023. All incidents involved symptomatic guys. The patients have not all been hospitalized. Nine (69%) of the 13 cases involved men who had received two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccination. Nine (69%) non-Hispanic White males, two (15%) non-Hispanic Black men, and two (15%) Asian men had confirmed cases. The age range was 24-46 years, with 34 being the median.

Despite the fact that vaccines do not completely confer protection, immunization remains one of the most crucial preventative strategies. The CDC anticipates that previously immunized individuals may continue to suffer new instances, but those who have finished their two-dose JYNNEOS vaccination series may experience fewer severe symptoms than those who have not.

In 2023, when people congregate for festivals and other activities, mpox may experience a rebound throughout the spring and summer months. This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update's goals are to provide resources on clinical evaluation, treatment, vaccination, and testing, as well as to alert physicians and public health organizations to the possibility of new clusters or outbreaks of mpox cases.

Background

In May 2022, a worldwide outbreak of mpox started. However, this outbreak quickly spread across a large portion of the world through person-to-person contact, disproportionately affecting gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender people. Previous outbreaks in regions where mpox is not endemic were mostly related to international travel. The majority of mpox patients have a moderate condition, but some, especially those who have advanced or untreated HIV infection, may have more adverse effects.

In all, 30,395 cases had been documented in the US as of May 10. This outbreak peaked in August 2022 with roughly 460 cases each day, and it subsequently decreased. This is probably due to a combination of transient changes in sexual behavior, vaccinations, and infection-induced immunity. However, the CDC is still receiving reports of fresh cases and clusters both domestically and abroad.

Currently, the CDC does not advocate routine public immunization against mpox.

People with a high risk of exposure to mpox should be administered the mpox vaccination:

- Individuals who have knowledge of or suspicions regarding exposure to mpox.

- Individuals who recently had sex with someone who has been given an mpox diagnosis.

- Gay, bisexual, and other MSM individuals as well as transgender or nonbinary individuals, including teenagers who fit into any of these categories, who have experienced sexual activity during the last six months.

- A recent diagnosis of one or more STDs (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis).- Having multiple sexual partners.

- Individuals who experienced any of the following in the previous six months- Sex at a for-profit sex location.- Sexual activity associated with a sizable public event in a region where mpox transmission is taking place.

- Sexual favors in exchange for cash or other goods.

- People who have sex with those who pose the aforementioned hazards.

- Individuals who believe they will encounter any of the aforementioned events.

- Those who have recently experienced or anticipate experiencing mpox exposure and have HIV infection or other immunosuppressive conditions.

- Employees who may be exposed to mpox while at work.

- Lab technicians who deal with orthopoxviruses.

For more information visit:

https://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=32787&z=58