After a continuous 9 months long decline in mpox cases, health officials are warning that this will change and there will be a “resurgence.”
In a new alert meant for health professionals, the CDC warned that “Spring and summer season in 2023 could lead to a resurgence of mpox as people gather for festivals and other events.”
Since their peak in August of last year, when 646 cases were reported in a single day, incidences of the virus have remained low in the United States.
The CDC did note a recent cluster that occurred in the Chicago region.
The city’s health department recently registered 12 cases and one suspected one within an 18-day span.
All instances occurred in symptomatic males between April 17 and May 5, and 69 percent of these men had received both doses of mpox vaccine.
The CDC stated that it is unclear why such a high proportion of those who received vaccinations contracted the disease.
Additionally, it is unknown if those people’s post-vaccination immunity has declined or if the virus has undergone a mutation.
The organization said that research is being carried out to evaluate the duration of post-vaccination protection.
The CDC stated that while no vaccination is 100 percent effective, it does lessen the likelihood of contracting and transmitting the virus and may lessen the severity of the symptoms.
Although there is a “very real chance” of an increase over the next months, Dr. Jay Varma told CNN that it probably wouldn’t be as significant as it was last year.
“This is because many people at risk were either infected or vaccinated,” Varma stated.
However, just 23 percent of the projected population at risk for mpox is fully immunized, according to the CDC, making the immunization rate still pretty low.
Those who have a higher chance of exposure to mpox are advised to get the vaccination. Men who get involved intimately with multiple male partners are included in this.
In the present worldwide outbreak, mumps has almost completely been linked to sexual contact.
Mpox is most frequently transferred through close, prolonged physical contact.
A rash on the hands and feet, chest, face, mouth, or area close to the genitalia is one of the symptoms. This may at first resemble pimples or blisters and may hurt or itch.
Other symptoms those infected may experience as well include chills, fever, nodes, muscular aches and swollen lymph nodes.
