Virginia Department of Health sees increase in mpox cases

Since Jan. 1, 12 mpox cases have been reported to the department from Central, eastern, Northern, and northwest regions of Virginia. Of those, four patients were required to be hospitalized, six were also infected with HIV and none had previously been vaccinated.

In comparison, last year, there were 12 reported mpox cases in all of 2023, and all were from Northern Virginia.

The department said signs and symptoms of mpox include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and a new, unexplained rash that might be painful.

"Most people infected with mpox during this on-going outbreak have been gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, but anyone can get mpox," a spokesperson for the department said.

According to the department, these cases demonstrate the continued need for mpox prevention and testing to curb disease transmission.

The department provided the following tips for Virginians to help prevent the spread, especially moving into the spring and summer festival season, including Pride celebrations.

• Get vaccinated with two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine if you're at risk of being exposed to mpox or come into close contact with someone with mpox.
  • The vaccine protects against mpox infection and can lessen illness severity if you get mpox.
  • Getting both doses offers the best protection. It is never too late to start the series or get your second dose if you haven't already.
  • Mpox vaccines are free. Use the CDC mpox vaccine locator to find a vaccination site near you.
• Mpox spreads through close, sustained physical contact, so take steps to protect yourself, whether you are vaccinated or not. If you are a person who has been informed that you are a close contact with someone with mpox, watch for symptoms of mpox 21 days from the last day of exposure and talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.
  • When thinking about how to lower the chance of getting mpox at events like raves, parties, clubs, and festivals, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur. Clothing that covers skin allows for better protection at events where there may be higher levels of close contact.
  • Do not share personal items and avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone with confirmed mpox or a new, unexplained rash.
• If you have mpox or symptoms of mpox, talk with your healthcare provider about getting tested, even if you have been vaccinated. Stay at home and away from other people and animals until your mpox rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed.

For more information on mpox, visit the department's website, or call the department at 877-829-4682.