New monkeypox cases detected in NC, high-risk should get vaccinated

New cases of monkeypox were reported in North Carolina, the first since April, and state health officials are encouraging people at high risk for mpox to get vaccinated.

According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, two cases of mpox were reported in September and October, and mpox virus was detected in one out of 12 wastewater monitoring sites.

The cases and tested wastewater were from three different counties, suggesting increased mpox spread in the state, NC officials said. 

Last November, the mpox vaccine was widely available, and cases were decreasing.

The outbreak peaked in August 2022, when the state averaged 60 new infections a week. In November, the infections were only down to three statewide per week.

Even though case counts are not currently considered high, it is important for people to get vaccinated if they are at high risk of getting mpox.

How is monkeypox spread?

The disease is spread person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, having contact with an infectious rash, through body fluids or through respiratory secretions. Such contact often occurs during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.

Health officials said 96% of all monkeypox cases have been in men, and more than 50% of those infected are known to be living with HIV.

Monkeypox symptoms

Mpox typically begins with flu-like symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Rash on hands, feet, chest, face or mouth or near the genitals or perianal area.

The rash usually develops after the first symptoms, but in some recent cases, the rash has appeared before or at the same time as the flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can be more severe for people who are immunocompromised, such as in individuals living with HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a vaccine finder, or patients can talk with their pharmacist or health provider.

Who should get a monkeypox vaccine?

CDC recommends vaccination against mpox if:

• You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox
• You had a sex partner in the past 2 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 6 months has had any of the following:
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner
• You have had any of the following in the past 6 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