New York City reports increases in mpox
Cases up since October 2023
The New York City (NYC) Health Department has reported a substantial increase in mpox, or monkeypox cases since October 2023.
Reported case numbers in NYC were relatively low for most of 2023, ranging from two to 20 cases per month between January and September. Since October, there has been an increase to an average of 36 cases per month, with a peak case count of 51 cases in January 2024.
Of the 256 cases from October 2023 through April 15, 2024:
• 73% (188) were not vaccinated or had received only one dose.
• 94% were among men who have sex with men.
• Most were Black or Hispanic and between the ages of 25-44.
• Most were mild; ten (3.9%) people were hospitalized.
In the United States, Clade II cases of mpox is the only type reported. With the large outbreak of the more severe Clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it is possible that Clade I could be introduced into the U.S. by a traveler to the DRC or other endemic countries, or with epidemiological links to those regions.
Clade I appears to be more transmissible and cause more severe disease.
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Isolation vaccination (JYNNEOS, ACAM2000), and treatment (e.g., tecovirimat, brincidofovir, vaccinia immune globulin intravenous) strategies used for Clade II infections are expected to be effective for Clade I infections.
People with potential risk of exposure to mpox should receive two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to be fully vaccinated. It is estimated that only one in four people recommended to receive the vaccine in the U.S. are fully vaccinated. Increasing vaccine uptake is essential to preventing infections and severe disease, officials note.