Mpox is a disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by close contact. It causes a painful rash and often also causes flu-like symptoms. While the outbreak in the U.S. in 2022 has been controlled, with a significant decrease in the number of cases and no cases in Clark County, there are still cases in the U.S. and Washington state. Vaccination for those at increased risk is still important.

Vaccine

People who are at increased risk for Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) or have had recent close contact with someone who was diagnosed with mpox should get vaccinated.

JYNNEOS is a vaccine that is FDA-approved to protect against both mpox and smallpox. For the best protection, you should get two doses at least four weeks apart.

If you are exposed to mpox and are not yet fully vaccinated, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccination within four days of exposure can help prevent mpox. Vaccination can still be given up until 14 days after exposure because even though it may no longer prevent infection, it can still decrease the severity of your symptoms. 

The vaccine is free. If you are insured, your insurance may be billed to cover the administration fee. 

CDC recommends vaccination against mpox if:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox
• You had a sex partner in the past two weeks who was diagnosed with mpox
• You are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or a transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person who in the past six months has had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had any of the following in the past six months:
  • Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse)
  • Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring
  • Sex in exchange for money or other items
• You have a sex partner with any of the above risks
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure from any of the above scenarios
• You work in settings where you may be exposed to mpox:
  • You work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory

To learn more about vaccines and other ways to decrease your risk of mpox, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. For answers to frequently asked questions about mpox, visit the Washington State Department of Health website. 

Mpox symptoms

People with mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus.

If you develop a new rash or other symptoms of mpox (such as fevers, chills, body aches, headache, severe fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, congestion, cough, or rectal pain) and had close contact with someone who could have had mpox in the past three weeks, you should be evaluated by a health care provider as soon as possible.  

While you wait to be evaluated by a health care provider, you should stay home. Mpox can be spread to others from one to four days before the start of symptoms until the rash has healed with a fresh layer of skin having formed. Cover your lesions and wear a mask when you leave your home for medical care. Tell your health care provider that you are concerned about the possibility of mpox.

For more information about how to prevent the spread of mpox, visit the CDC’s website.

An antiviral drug (tecovirimat or TPOXX) is available for people with severe disease. Talk with your provider about whether this treatment is an option for you.