Rising Mpox Cases: Get Vaccinated

Erie County Department of Health

In the summer of 2022, men who have sex with men in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States saw an outbreak of a communicable disease that beforehand was seen mostly due to travel from Central or West Africa. Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, is part of a family of viruses that cause disease in both humans and many types of animals. Smallpox is an example of a pox virus that no longer exists in nature. Mpox, on the other hand, surged in 2022. The ongoing outbreak worldwide has the US leading with the most cases at 34% and the highest death count at 33% globally. As of early April 2024, the US has seen approximately 700 confirmed cases compared to 315 cases at the same time one year prior. These cases and deaths are specific to the type of Mpox that spread in 2022.

Currently, the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] is seeing the largest outbreak of mpox ever recorded. Since Jan 1, 2023, the DRC has reported over 12,500 cases and over 575 deaths, far surpassing the US. Due to ease of travel, exposure can be higher than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine JYNNEOS vaccination of two doses for people 18 years and older at risk for Mpox. This includes men who have sex with men, as well as transgender or non-binary persons who have in the past six months had one or more new sexually transmitted diseases, more than one partner, sex in association with a large public event, sex in exchange for money or other items, and individuals diagnosed with HIV. In addition, people with these experiences are also recommended to get both doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

The Erie County Department of Health [ECDH] provides both doses of JYNNEOS to the public during our weekly Sexual Health Clinic. For more information about mpox and private, confidential vaccination at no cost, call us at the Erie County Department of Health at 814-451-6700.