Mpox rising in Oregon, and so is OHA’s warning to act against the virus – KDRV

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon Health Authority is insisting people protect themselves against mpox following an increase in cases of the virus in the state during the past three months.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) says seventeen mpox cases were reported in about a 100-day span to OHA and local public health authorities between July 20 and October 31.

It is reminding people about the availability of a safe and effective vaccine against mpox, or poxvirus formerly called monkeypox.

OHA says Oregon's recent mpox cases are prompting state health officials to distribute a statewide advisory to healthcare providers this month recommending they consider mpox when evaluating patients with mpox symptoms regardless of the patient's reported risk, vaccination status or level of community transmission. The advisory also states that testing patients with rashes, lesions or symptoms compatible with mpox should be considered part of comprehensive sexual health care.

OHA says mpox spreads primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact, "Most often, it has spread through intimate or sexual contact and during contact with the lesions of an individual with mpox through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person."

Dr. Tim Menza is senior health adviser for OHAs mpox response who says Oregon recorded one to three mpox cases per month before mid-summer. He says while the recent case increase since July is lower than the 10-15 cases reported weekly at the height of the 2022 outbreak, these cases show mpox is spreading in Oregon, "We never declared the 2022 outbreak over because we were concerned about increases like the one we are seeing now, and it gives us an opportunity to remind folks in the community that vaccination against mpox remains a valuable tool for reducing the risk of mpox infection."

OHA says the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is free and available to anyone in Oregon who wants to be vaccinated, regardless of insurance status. OHA says, "It is also highly effective: According to a study published in May in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC)Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the vaccine was found to be 75% effective for those receiving one dose and 86% effective for those who had two doses."

Mpox symptoms can start between a few days to three weeks after contact, which most commonly are flu-like symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. OHA says most people will develop a rash within a few days of the flu-like symptoms; some people only develop a rash, which may start on or near the penis, testicles, labia, vagina or anus. It may also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth.

People who suspect they have mpox should contact their healthcare providers to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for mpox. People who dont have a healthcare provider can call 2-1-1 for help finding a clinic or healthcare provider.

More information about mpox in Oregon is at OHAsmpox websiteor the CDCs mpox page,https://mpoxvaxmap.org/. Vaccination clinics can be searched by ZIP code with the mpox vaccine locator tool athttps://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Monkeypox/Pages/vaccine.aspx.

Monkeypox virus

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Mpox rising in Oregon, and so is OHA's warning to act against the virus - KDRV