Mpox

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the Monkeypox virus, which is related to the virus that causes smallpox. Mpox is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread between humans and animals. It can also spread between people.

Mpox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease spread among colonies of monkeys being kept for research. The disease has also been identified in African rodents, and scientists do not know the true source of the disease. The first case of mpox in humans was reported in 1970.

In November of 2022, the World Health Organization(WHO) announced it was adopting the term mpox to replace the original name of the disease. In addition to responding to complaints that the original name was a misnomer that reinforced racism and stigma about African countries being a source of disease, the new name also improves pronounceability, usability in other languages, and other benefits.

On July 23, 2022, WHO declared mpox a global health emergency due to its appearance in 70 counties and 16,000 reported infections around the globe. The declaration was intended to draw worldwide attention to the outbreaks and prompt a coordinated international public health response. On August 14, 2024, WHO declared a new outbreak of mpox in Central and Western Africa a "global health emergency of international concern."

People with mpox often get a rash that looks like pimples or blisters and may appear on the genitals, anus, hands, feet, chest, or mouth. The rash may be painful or itchy and will turn to scabs as it heals. Other symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, headaches, and respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure.

Mpox Can Spread in Several Ways:

• Close – often skin-to-skin - contact with an infected person. This includes direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or bodily fluids from a person with mpox. Examples of close contact include sexual acts, hugging and kissing, and prolonged face-to-face exposure
• Touching objects, fabrics (bedding, towels, clothing), or surfaces that have been used by a person with mpox
• Contact with upper respiratory secretions

New data has shown that certain infected people can spread mpox to others from one to four days before their symptoms appear. Scientists are still researching if someone with no symptoms can spread the virus, and other ways mpox can be spread.

There are no treatments specifically for mpox, and most people recover fully from the disease within two to four weeks without any treatment. There have been two vaccines that have been licensed in the United States to prevent smallpox which can also be used to decrease the spread and risk of mpox. The JYNNEOS vaccine is the current preferred vaccine and is given in two doses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a person get vaccinated within 4 days of exposure to prevent onset of the disease. If given between 4-14 days after exposure, vaccination may reduce disease symptoms.

Since October 2022, the Yale Emerging Infections Program (EIP) has collaborated with the CT Department of Public Health, the CDC, and EIP sites in other states to conduct a case-control study for evaluating effectiveness of mpox vaccines. The purpose of the project is to provide real world evidence of vaccine effectiveness which will inform vaccination recommendations and can be used to promote higher vaccine uptake in populations at risk.

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Connecticut State Department of Public Health (CTDHP)
• CTDHP Vaccination Clinics
• Mpox Vaccine Effectiveness Evaluation
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Yale Health
• Yale Institute for Global Health (YIGH)