The New York City Department of Health is warning of another spike in local cases of the empox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, and is urging medical professionals to watch for cases during the summer, when there is a high rate of transmission.
Health officials said. A piece of advice In the year Although the overall number of people infected with the virus is lower than in the 2022 outbreak, there has been a “significant” increase in mpox cases reported in the city since October. Starting in the fall – from two to 20 monthly issues in early 2023.
“This highlights the importance of continued vigilance with a large outbreak of the most severe clade I simian virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” says the advisor. The virus can spread with flu-like symptoms, including a rash that spreads over the patient’s body, fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches.
While 10 people were hospitalized, most of the recent cases were mild, the health department said. Men who have sex with men make up 94 percent, with the majority of cases involving black or Hispanic men between the ages of 25 and 44. Three-quarters of the patients were either unvaccinated or received only one dose of Mpox. The vaccine.
The US Centers for Disease Control says there is Two types of virusA more severe clade I and a less severe clade II. There are no reported cases of Clade I in the US, but a recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo poses a risk of travel to the United States, a health department advisor explains.
While 99.9% of people with clade II survive, some outbreaks of clade 1, prevalent in central Africa, have killed up to 10% of infected people, according to the CDC. Treatment and vaccination protocols are the same for both types of virus.
“is it Estimate Only one in four people in the U.S. who are recommended to get the vaccine are fully vaccinated, according to the health advisory. “It is important to increase the vaccination rate to prevent infections and serious diseases.”
DOH officials encouraged people at risk of exposure to mpox to get two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Also, follow the state to make the virus test easily available to health care providers Instruction Evaluating the patient’s sexual history and Share precautions with them to prevent spread and relieve symptoms.