Category: Monkey Pox Vaccine

Three mpox cases (formerly known as monkeypox) have been detected in New South Wales, prompting health authorities to encourage vaccination.

NSW Health said the three cases were confirmed this week and are linked to outbreaks in South Australia and Victoria.

A total of 72 mpox cases have been identified NSW in 2022.

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Mpox can spread through contact with contaminated items or surfaces, as well as prolonged or intimate skin-to-skin contact.

Symptoms of mpox include a rash, fever, sore throat, headache, tiredness, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes.

The rash may appear as vesicles, pustules or ulcers initially around the genitals, anus or buttock.

Mpox is endemic to a few African countries. In May 2022, a global outbreak began with over 97,000 cases reported, mainly affecting gay or bisexual men.

NSW Health executive director of health protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty urged gay and bisexual men to be vigilant for symptoms and receive the free vaccine.

Mpox vaccine is recommended for all sexually active men who have sex with men, so get a vaccine if you havent already been vaccinated, he said.

It is important to note two doses of vaccine are required, so anyone who has only received one dose should get a second dose at least 28 days after the first.

Patients are considered contagious until rash lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.

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Mpox cases detected in New South Wales, prompting vaccination alert - 7NEWS

New cases of mpox in Los Angeles County rose considerably in the last two weeks, local health officials said Monday.

The concerning increase of the disease took reported cases from an average of fewer than two per week a level that had been consistent for several weeks to a total of 10 in the county in the last two weeks.

The virus, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close contact with body fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing or respiratory droplets, the county health department said. A multi-country outbreak that began in May 2022 spurred the declaration of a public health emergency by the U.S. and the World Health Organization. Cases subsequently declined with vaccines and treatments.

Like COVID-19, mpox can be spread through droplets, especially when an infected person kisses someone else or coughs or sneezes near them.

Symptoms of the virus include rash or unusual sores that look like pimples or blisters on the face, body and genitals, as well as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches or swelling of lymph nodes.

Mpox is not life-threatening but can lead to severe illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The public health department advises:

Those with symptoms should be tested, the statement said, and healthcare providers should report any suspected cases to the department.

Many of the prevention tips issued by the county are standard safe-sex practices, including wearing condoms and exchanging contact information with sexual partners.

Jynneos, the two-dose vaccine recommended by county health officials, is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus, the statement said.

Though the vaccine is available to all, specific subgroups especially at risk of exposure to mpox are highly encouraged to get vaccinated: those who have sex with transgender people, those who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex and people living with HIV.

Partners of those listed above are also especially at risk, the county said.

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Mpox is on the rise in L.A. County. Here's how to avoid it - Los Angeles Times

Health officials in Los Angeles County, California, have issued a warning after the county witnessed a "concerning" increase in mpox cases in the past two weeks.

Ten new cases have been reported in the past two weeks, a notable rise from the prior average of fewer than two cases per week. In response to this surge, officials recommend enhancing testing and vaccination efforts to reduce the risk of severe illness and transmission.

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the Monkeypox virus. It can spread in several ways: through direct contact with infected wild animals, close contact with an infected person (including intimate or sexual contact), and exposure to body fluids, sores, or respiratory droplets from kissing, coughing, or sneezing.

"We had four cases about two weeks ago, and then six cases last week. And so to us, that's a sign that we are entering the summer season where people are more social and sexually active," Dr. Sonali Kulkarni, director of the HIV and STD programs at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, told ABC 7.

Individuals who develop symptoms should seek medical attention and get tested, the officials caution.

Symptoms of mpox typically manifest three to 17 days after exposure. The hallmark sign is a rash that can develop on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or around the genitals. Other common symptoms include fever and chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache, and respiratory issues.

A person with mpox is infectious from the time symptoms appear until the rash has completely healed. To minimize the risk of infection, officials advise avoiding sex or intimate contact with anyone who has a new or unexplained rash or any related symptoms. They also recommend against sharing towels, clothing, bedding, fetish gear, sex toys, or toothbrushes. Additionally, using protective measures like gloves and condoms is strongly advised.

Another key tool for preventing mpox is the Jynneos vaccine, a two-dose series recommended for:

"People in high-risk groups are urged to get fully vaccinated with two doses for the best protection. Second doses can be given no matter how long it's been since the first dose. Residents can choose to receive the mpox vaccine subcutaneously (in the upper arm) or intradermally (under the skin on their arm or back). Vaccine boosters are not recommended at this time," the LA county officials said in the news release.

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LA County Mpox Cases Surge; Officials Urge Vaccination To Reduce Risk Of Severe Illness - Medical Daily

South Africa is trying to source Mpox vaccines from the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) member countries, the Department of Health said.

Updating the media on the situation on Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla told a media briefing in Pretoria there was no registered treatment for the infectious disease in South Africa and that the WHO member countries in question have stockpiles that exceed their needs.

He also said the global vaccine alliance, GAVI, had been approached.

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These vaccines will be stored and distributed from our provincial depots, said Phaahla.

Additional intervention is being considered as National Advisory Group for Immunisation (NAGI), a technical working group for Mpox vaccines, has been appointed and is considering Mpox vaccine for both pre and post-exposure administration for high-risk groups, including but not limited to sex workers, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), healthcare workers and laboratory workers.

This week, South Africa recorded its first Mpox death at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. Three of South Africas five reported cases have been in Durban, and the other two are in Gauteng.

The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), an orthopoxvirus (a group of large, complex, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of the host cell) that transmits from person to person through close contact, and from domesticated and wild animals infected by pathogens in East, Central, and West Africa.

Phaahla said the multi-country Mpox outbreak was characterised by sustained human-to-human transmission via direct skin-to-skin and sexual contact. People living with HIV are disproportionately affected.

He said all cases/patients in South Africa were men aged between 30 and 39 years without travel history to the countries currently experiencing an outbreak, which suggests that there is local transmission within the country.

All five cases were classified as severe cases as per the WHO definition, requiring hospitalisation.

The WHO recommends the use of Tecovirimat (known as TPOXX) for treatment of severe cases, such as in individuals with a CD4 (type of white blood cells) count of less than 350. However, the department has obtained Tecovirimat via Section 21 SAPHRA approval on a compassionate use basis for the five known patients with severe disease. Three of the five cases had access to Tecovirimat treatment as advocated by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).

With regards to a vaccine, Phaahla said options were being considered as to which population groups should be targeted.

Phaahla added that the stigma of MSM has hindered contact tracing and honesty from those who may be infected by Mpox as patients were not forthcoming with traceable contacts in order to establish where they got the Mpox so their contacts can be tested too.

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He said only one of the patients indicated they had had sexual contact with multiple partners, including males and females.

Co-morbidities have also been identified among MSM cases in other countries.

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SA trying to source Mpox vaccines - The Witness | Your compass in the community

Monkeypox (Mpox) is an infection transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and causes fever and painful skin blisters. It is in the Orthopoxvirus genus of viruses, which includes smallpox, so those vaccinated against it have cross-protection, smallpox vaccines also work for monkeypox.

It is usually self-resolving but has been linked to deaths in immunocompromised individuals and an antiviral drug like tecovirimat stops the spread of infection by interfering with a protein found on the surface of Orthopoxviruses. Those only work if people get vaccinated or treated. Those who engage in risky behavior and use phone apps should use extra caution, the authors of a recent paper note.

In 2022 there were over 30,000 cases reported, only among men who have sex with men in the U.S. but with only three cases in six months in the CDC's EMERGEncy ID NET, which since 1995has included 13 dispersed U.S. emergency departments, the outbreak is over.

Smallpox vaccines are effective against monkeypox. Cristian Storto/Alamy Stock Photo

That is thanks to awareness, which leads to better judgment, and vaccination. The authors of a new paper remain concerned despite the low numbers because of low vaccination uptake among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men(GBMSM), though they were almost exclusively the population afflicted and now are not, so vaccine efforts have been a success.

There were no reported cases in women or children.

The sample population in the new paper were196 enrolled persons, just under half female, and 20 percent were children. Mpox was only diagnosed in three (1.5%) individuals, each of whom identified as GBMSM and reported being HIV-negative, not being vaccinated against mpox, and having engaged in sex with one or more partners met on smartphone dating apps.

This surveillance effort was unique in that it was based on testing all patients with an mpox-compatible rash regardless of presumed epidemiological risk, said Dr. David Talan, the studys co-lead author and professor of emergency medicine/infectious diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. This allowed us to investigate whether infection occurred in non-GBMSM individuals, groups who previously may not have been suspected and tested for mpox.

Of concern is also a new mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that appears to be more transmissible and virulent.

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At 3 Cases In 6 Months, Monkeypox In The US Is Effectively Contained - Science 2.0

Australia appears to be experiencing a re-emergence of the infectious disease mpox, formerly called monkeypox.

Some 40 cases have been recorded so far in 2024, already surpassing the total number recorded for 2023 (26). Victoria has reported 24 cases this year, while Queensland saw ten cases reported in May.

There was previously a significant mpox outbreak in 2022, with a total of 144 cases across Australia. All cases since 2022 have been in males, most commonly those aged 30 to 39. Mpox cases are on the rise elsewhere, too.

So what is mpox? And is there a vaccine available? Heres what to know about this virus.

Mpox belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which is also responsible for smallpox.

Symptoms include fever and rash, typically starting on the hands, feet and face. The genitals may also be affected. The rash is infectious until the lesions have scabbed over.

There are two clades, or varieties, of mpox: clade I and clade II. Up to 10% of people infected with clade I may die, compared to 1% or less of those infected with clade II.

Traditionally, both clades of mpox have been endemic in countries in central and western Africa, where it transmits from animals to humans, and has occasionally caused human outbreaks.

Mpox outbreaks began occurring outside Africa in 2018, with cases detected in the United Kingdom, Israel and Singapore in people travelling from Nigeria, which began experiencing outbreaks in 2017.

The 2022 epidemic spread to non-endemic regions such as Europe, the Americas, and Australia, with more than 97,000 cases confirmed globally to date.

These outbreaks were caused by clade IIb, a variant of clade II, with case fatality below 1%. Clade IIb is also behind the current cases in Australia.

Recent research indicates both clades of mpox are undergoing rapid mutations, with genetic changes in clade I that may enhance its transmissibility among humans.

These mutations suggest a shift from its historical zoonotic transmission patterns toward sustained human-to-human spread.

Mpox spreads between people primarily through close contact with infected lesions or bodily fluids. Sexual transmission accounts for most of clade IIbs spread, especially among high-risk groups like gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

The pattern of spread appears different for the two clades. Like smallpox, mpox is a respiratory virus and has been found in ambient air, so respiratory transmission is possible.

Clade I is causing large epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with more than 20,000 suspected cases since 2023.

The estimated fatality rate in DRC is 4.6%, with 70% of cases and close to 90% of deaths in children under 15.

This suggests respiratory and close-contact transmission are the primary modes of spread in DRC. However, sexual transmission of clade I has also been reported.

The primary strategy for preventing further outbreaks of mpox in Australia is vaccination. The recommended shot is the JYNNEOS vaccine, which was developed as a smallpox vaccine.

Older smallpox vaccines are made from a live virus called vaccinia, a related orthopoxvirus that protects against smallpox and mpox. The older vaccines have fully replicating vaccinia virus in them, which can be risky for people with weakened immune systems. The JYNNEOS vaccine is modified so the vaccinia virus doesnt replicate in the body and is safer for people with conditions such as HIV.

For full protection, two doses are required at least 28 days apart. Two doses given before exposure to the virus is 84% effective in preventing mpox and protection is believed to last for at least a couple of years.

Cases may still occur in people who are vaccinated, but these infections are typically milder.

The vaccine is also effective after exposure to the virus, but less so than if its given beforehand.

Australian guidelines recommend vaccination in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. They also recommend vaccination for sex workers, and people with HIV who may be at risk of exposure to mpox.

Health-care workers who treat or are likely to treat patients with mpox are advised to consider having the vaccine.

Post-exposure vaccination is recommended for people who public health authorities classify as having had a high-risk mpox contact in the previous 14 days.

Australias approach to the 2022 mpox outbreak involved ensuring early access to vaccination and working closely with LGBTQ+ community and health organisations. These organisations raised awareness of mpox symptoms, modes of transmission, and vaccination.

In 2023, 48% of gay and bisexual men in Sydney and Melbourne reported having received at least one dose of mpox vaccine. Rapid uptake of vaccines may have contributed to low rates of mpox in Australia.

It appears mpox has become established as a sexually transmitted infection in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Achieving and maintaining high rates of vaccination in this group will be crucial in long-term prevention efforts.

Ongoing surveillance is also important, while contact tracing will help minimise the size of any clusters, facilitating post-exposure vaccination where warranted. In Australia, state and territory health departments have extensive experience in contact tracing and work with affected communities.

Australia has so far been successful in avoiding a major epidemic, including in early 2023 when Sydney WorldPride brought thousands of gay men from around the world to Sydney.

In the next few years, unequal access to vaccination around the world will likely mean continued introductions of mpox from settings with lower vaccination rates. Ensuring equitable vaccine access is vital to global and local disease control.

A global approach to controlling mpox is essential, as infections in one country can spread rapidly internationally, as the 2022 epidemic showed.

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Mpox is on the rise in Australia. Here's what to know about the virus and who should get vaccinated - The Conversation

As cases of the disease caused by the mpox virus increase around the country and in Massachusetts, health experts are encouraging at-risk people to get vaccinated.

The first documented case of the virus in the United States was found in Massachusetts in May of 2022, and by the end of that year nearly 500 cases had been documented in the state.

Last year, things seemed to be more under control as mpox was found in just six people in Massachusetts. Already this year, there have been 16 mpox cases in the state.

Were concerned that the 16 that we have here can explode into hundreds of cases, said Dr. Cassandra Pierre, an infectious disease physician who is the associate hospital epidemiologist and medical director of public health programs at Boston Medical Center.

Mpox is not a sexually transmitted disease, but it is associated with sexual activity, Pierre said. The majority of individuals who weve seen infected with mpox are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Over 90% of the cases have been reported in that population.

The virus can cause painful skin lesions and other symptoms, which can last for several weeks. (While the virus itself is still commonly called monkeypox, the WHO recently changed the name of the disease it causes to mpox.)

Weve had conversations with the DPH already earlier this year about this issue as we started to see more people who were infected and unvaccinated for mpox, Pierre said, referring to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Mpox vaccines are now widely available, said Dr. Kevin Ard, director of the sexual health clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital.

There is a DPH website that can show people where they can get vaccines, and we provide the vaccine at no cost right now, Ard said. So, theres really no supply limitation like there was very early, when the outbreak first began.

Nationally, Ard said, low vaccination rates are contributing to an increased risk of another outbreak.

The vaccine rates in Massachusetts are higher than the national average, so I think our risk for an outbreak is probably lower, he said. But still in Massachusetts, there are many people who are eligible for the vaccine who havent had it.

The number of cases in the 2022 outbreak spiked in the summer, Pierre said, raising concern that a similar surge could be seen again.

We are concerned that, going into the summer, there remain a large population of at-risk individuals who are unvaccinated and therefore at risk, Pierre said.

It takes two doses of the vaccine for people to be considered fully vaccinated, Ard said.

People can protect themselves by getting vaccinated if theyve not had any vaccines, Ard said. And if theyve only had one vaccine, they should go ahead and get the second vaccine because we think that that provides the highest protection.

Mass General Hospital plans to offer free vaccinations at Boston Pride events over the next month, Ard said.

Both Pierre and Ard also expressed concerns that a more dangerous variant could be on its way.

In a report, the CDC issued a warning earlier this month about clade I.

The type of virus thats been circulating in the United States so far is known as clade II, but another variant, known as clade I is currently having an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That variant causes more severe illness and is associated with higher rates of mortality. No cases have been detected in the United States.

We are concerned about the threat that clade I poses to the population at risk, Pierre said. Especially higher risk people who are unvaccinated.

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Local doctors push for more mpox vaccination as virus appears to be on the rise - GBH News

Queensland has recorded 10 locally acquired cases of mpox this month in the state's biggest cluster of the virus.

All cases of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, are linked and contact tracing is underway to potentially locate more people with the infection.

Public health physician Olivia Williams said the current risk to the public is low.

"It is not easily transmitted from person to person without prolonged close or intimate contact," Dr Williams said.

She said no connection had been found to an mpox outbreak in Victoria where 16 confirmed cases have been reported since April 18, 13 of them locally acquired.

"We're still investigating but there is no evidence of a link to Victoria at the moment," Dr Williams said.

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She said the virus was spread by close physical contact with an infected person, through both bodily secretions and skin-to-skin contact.

"There is some evidence that contaminated objects particularly things like clothing, sheets, towels that have been in contact with an infected person, particularly skin lesions or body secretions, can transmit the infection as well," Dr Williams said.

Most Australian mpox cases have been in men who have sex with men.

Dr Williams of Queensland Health's communicable diseases branch said high risk groups, including sex workers, were eligible for free vaccines through sexual health clinics and general practitioners.

In addition to reducing the risk of infection and severe disease, she said vaccination also slashed the chances of the illness spreading.

Free vaccination may also be considered for laboratory scientists who analyse mpox samples and healthcare workers exposed to the illness in patients.

Two vaccine shots are required for optimal effectiveness, 28 days apart.

"Queensland has good supply of mpox vaccine," Dr Williams said.

She said mpox vaccine is also routinely offered to close contacts of newly-diagnosed cases.

Mpox was first reported in Australia in May 2022, with Queensland recording two cases in 2023 and six in 2022.

Dr Williams said mpox infections were generally "fairly mild" and managed at home.

However, some people could become very ill and require admission to hospital.

"If you think you have mpox, seek medical advice and get tested," she said.

Most of the state's new cases have been recorded across five hospital and health services Metro North, Metro South, West Moreton, Darling Downs, and Sunshine Coast.

The disease causes a distinctive rash and lesions that turn into pimples, blisters or sores, and may lead to ulcers and scabs. Lesions can vary in size and number.

Other symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, back pain, chills, rectal pain, and exhaustion.

Symptoms begin from five to 21 days after exposure to the virus.

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Queensland records 10 cases of mpox, formerly known as 'monkeypox', in state's biggest cluster in history - ABC News

With summer approaching and Pride celebrations nearing, San Francisco public health officials are again encouraging residents to be fully vaccinated against mpox, known also as monkeypox.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health said Tuesday that while there is not currently a rise in mpox cases in the city, the virus still circulates in the U.S. The agency also noted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an outbreak of a different strain of the mpox virus that causes more severe disease and is currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"With summer celebrations such as Pride approaching, now is a great time to protect yourself against mpox by getting vaccinated. The mpox vaccine is available through health systems and at clinics," San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said in a statement. "Even if you are fully vaccinated, it is still important to remain diligent since no vaccine is 100% effective. If you are experiencing symptoms of mpox such as a rash that looks like pimples or blisters, talk to your health care provider about getting tested, and talk to your partners so they can be informed and prevent the spread of infection."

To be fully vaccinated against mpox, health officials say it takes two doses of vaccine.

"Individuals can receive their second dose of the mpox vaccine if it has been at least 28 days since their first dose. There is no need to restart the two-dose series if it has been over 28 days since the first dose. Booster doses are not recommended at this time for those who have completed the two-dose series. In addition, mpox vaccination is not recommended at this time for those who have previously been infected," the SFDPH said.

The health department also recommends and encourages two-dose vaccination for all people living with HIV, anyone taking or eligible to take HIV PrEP, and all men, trans people, and nonbinary people who have sex with men, trans people, or nonbinary people.

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San Francisco officials encourage people to be fully vaccinated against mpox - NBC Bay Area

Two doses of Bavarian Nordics Jynneos vaccine offer almost complete protection against mpox, according to a new report published today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Also today, MMWR published an update on clade II mpox cases in the United States, showing cases have been consistent since October 2023, with most cases occurring in unvaccinated people.

In the first study, on Jynneos, the authors say that despite perceptions that now, 2 years after the global mpox outbreak began (primarily among men who have sex with men [MSM]), cases are rising among the previously vaccinated, there is actually evidence that persistent vaccine-derived immunologic response among persons who received the 2-dose vaccine series exists.

In May 2023, a cluster of mpox cases of occurred among vaccinated MSM, leading people to think vaccine efficacy was waning.

"Public perception of an increase in monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections among fully vaccinated persons during 2024 has further fueled concerns about the 2-dose series, the authors said.

The authors examined health records for 32,819 probable or confirmed US mpox cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from May 11, 2022, to May 1, 2024, and found a total of 24,507 (75%) occurred in unvaccinated persons. There were 271 cases (0.8%) among persons who were fully vaccinated.

Of those 271 cases, only 51 (19%) occurred during 2024. Mpox cases among fully vaccinated persons occurred a median of 266 days after receipt of the second vaccine dose, the authors said.

Overall, fully vaccinated persons had a 0.1% infection rate.

The number of breakthrough infections did not comprise a significant proportion of infections, including during 2024.

The number of breakthrough infections did not comprise a significant proportion of infections, including during 2024, the authors said. With only one in four eligible U.S. persons fully vaccinated, clinicians and public health authorities should continue to focus efforts on increasing vaccine coverage.

In another report, researchers show that from October 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, the United States has averaged 59 cases of mpox each week, mostly among unvaccinated people.

The weekly average is down significantly from a peak of 3,000 cases per week in summer 2022.

Current cases are mostly reported among males (94%), 90% of whom identify as gay or bisexual. The average age of new case-patients is 34 years, and 34% identify as Hispanic, 32% as White, 25% as Black, 3% as Asian, 2% as multiracial, and 4% as another race.

Since October 2023, five US patients with mpox have died, the authors said.

"The current average of 59 reported cases per week represents a fifty-five-fold reduction, compared with the peak of 3,274 cases reported during the week beginning July 31, 2022 (the peak outbreak week); levels have remained stable since October 2023," the authors concluded.

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Report: Mpox infections after 2 doses of Jynneos rare - University of Minnesota Twin Cities