World Health Organization: Mpox is a global public health emergency
For the second time in two years, the World Health Organization has declared Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global public health emergency.
A case of Mpox in Sweden prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency this month, but the potentially deadly variant of the virus has not yet made it to the United States.
There are two classifications of Mpox, known as Clade I and Clade II. Clade I is more severe and can sometimes lead to death, while Clade II typically has milder effects.
While the WHO said Sweden confirmed a case of Clade I (specifically a strain called Ib) in August (the first outside Africa) and another case of the same strain was confirmed in Thailand, Clade II is the version of the virus normally found in the United States.
Westchester County has seen a total of 106 Clade II cases in recent years, the vast majority of which occurred in 2022, said Dr. Sherlita Amler, Westchester’s health officer. In 2022, there was a global outbreak – all reported cases in the U.S. were related to the less virulent and contagious Clade II.
“We had seven cases last year and we have seven so far this year. So it could be more than the seven from last year,” Amler said, adding, “That’s still not a large number of cases.”
However, Amler said she understands that people are concerned.
Below you will learn everything you need to know about Mpox according to information published online by the Westchester County Health Department, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the WHO.
What is Mpox and where does it occur?
Mpox is a virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans and between humans.
According to health authorities, Mpox is widespread in the Democratic Republic of Congo and some of the surrounding countries.
Who can become infected with Mpox and how?
Anyone can become infected with Mpox, but the county health department said those who may be at higher risk of severe illness or death include people with weakened immune systems, older adults, children under 8 and pregnant women.
The virus is spread primarily through sexual and intimate contact, and “gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are at highest risk of contracting Mpox,” according to the CDC. This was also the case during the 2022 Clade II outbreak in the United States.
The CDC has said the risk of Impox strains being introduced into the United States is low due to the small number of travelers. “The risk may change as more information becomes available or as more cases occur outside of Central and East Africa,” the agency said.
According to the CDC, close or familiar contact is required for Mpox to spread, so casual contact while traveling is less likely to spread the disease.
The Westchester Health Department said people with MPOX are contagious as long as they have symptoms, usually two to four weeks. A rash, bodily fluids – such as pus or blood from skin lesions – and scabs are particularly contagious.
Clothes, bedding, towels and other shared items such as cutlery/dishes contaminated with the virus can also infect others.
People who are in close contact with someone who has MPOX, such as healthcare workers, household members, and sexual partners, are at higher risk.
Fact check: Claim of a link between Mpox and COVID-19 vaccines is “nonsense”
What are the symptoms of Mpox?
Symptoms of Mpox typically include rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, and low energy.
The rash usually begins one to three days after the fever begins. The lesions may be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and may then crust over, dry out, and fall off. Mpox rashes may look like some sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes and syphilis.
How to protect yourself from Mpox
According to the CDC, two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine are the best protection for at-risk groups.
To further protect yourself from infection with Mpox, avoid the following:
- People who suffer from signs and symptoms of MPOX, such as lesions on the skin or genitals.
- Wild animals, alive or dead, in areas where MPOX regularly occurs.
- Contaminated materials used by sick people – clothing, bedding, or materials used in healthcare or that have come into contact with wildlife.
- Avoid eating or preparing wild animal meat (especially bushmeat from the jungle, wetlands or savannah) and using products such as creams, lotions or powders derived from wild animals.
Further advice from county and federal health websites:
If you or a partner have been exposed to the virus in the past 21 days or have symptoms, seek medical attention. Cover rash/sores, wear a mask, and avoid close contact with others.
If you live with someone who has Mpox, the infected person should isolate and cover any skin lesions if possible. If you are physically close to the person, both of you should wear a face mask. Avoid skin contact whenever possible and use disposable gloves if you cannot avoid direct contact with the rash. Also, wear a mask and gloves when handling potentially contaminated clothing or bedding.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after contact with the infected person, their clothing, bedding, towels, and other personal items they have touched. Wash the person’s clothing, towels, bedding, and eating utensils with warm water and detergent.
