On November 28, 2022, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) recommendedusing the term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” in order to avoid racist and stigmatizing language when discussing the disease. Both terms will be used for the next year as WHO phases out usage of “monkeypox.”

Global cases:71,096U.S. cases:26,577Global deaths:26

The first case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was reported in the United States on May 18, 2022.

As of October 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 26,577 cases of mpox have been identified in the U.S.

In the U.S., mpox cases are counted in the state that a person lives in. Confirmed cases in U.S. citizens who were tested and diagnosed abroad will also be included in that country’s case count data.

What Is Mpox?

According to the CDC, the signs and symptoms of mpox include:

Mpox usually causes a rash a few days after infection. The lesions can be on the face, the bottoms of the feet, the hands, the genitals, and other parts of the body.

Mpox: Common Signs and Symptoms

How Do You Get Mpox?

You can catch mpox from an infected person if you get their bodily or respiratory fluids on you. You may also pick up the virus if you touch something that an infected person touched (like bedding).

It’s less common, but:

Can Kids Get Mpox?Infants and children can get mpox. As of mid-September, the CDC has identified 27 cases of mpox in kids in the U.S. under the age of 16, including 12 cases in kids under the age of 5.

Can Kids Get Mpox?

Infants and children can get mpox. As of mid-September, the CDC has identified 27 cases of mpox in kids in the U.S. under the age of 16, including 12 cases in kids under the age of 5.

Researchers do not know for sure if mpox spreadsthrough the air(aerosolized respiratory transmission, likehow COVID spreads).

However, if you are close to an infected person’s face for a long time, you may breathe in respiratory droplets that have the mpox virus in them.

It’s also not known ifdomesticanimals (e.g., pets, like dogs and cats) or livestock (e.g., farm animals like cows and pigs) can get mpox and spread it to humans.

Is Mpox an STI?

Mpox is not asexually transmitted infection(STI). It is not yet known if the virus can be spread through semen or vaginal fluid.

However, because sexual activity often involvesskin-to-skin contactand exchanging body fluids (e.g.,saliva through kissing), it’s possible to catch mpox from a person you have sex with.

Mpox and Men Who Have Sex With MenThe current mpox outbreak has affected many men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of the infections that have been reported so far have affected this group and they are considered at high risk for getting the virus.However, experts from the CDC emphasize that any person can get mpox, regardless of age, sex, race/ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Mpox and Men Who Have Sex With Men

The current mpox outbreak has affected many men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of the infections that have been reported so far have affected this group and they are considered at high risk for getting the virus.However, experts from the CDC emphasize that any person can get mpox, regardless of age, sex, race/ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

The current mpox outbreak has affected many men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of the infections that have been reported so far have affected this group and they are considered at high risk for getting the virus.

However, experts from the CDC emphasize that any person can get mpox, regardless of age, sex, race/ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

How Mpox Is Transmitted

Who Needs a Vaccine?

Currently, thereare two vaccinesthat may offer protection against mpox. However,most people probably will not need to get an mpox vaccine.

In the U.S., there is a limited supply of mpox vaccines. The focus is on making sure that people who have been exposed or are athigh riskfor exposure can get vaccinated first.

Is Mpox a Pandemic?

On June 23, 2022, the WHO declared the mpox outbreak aglobal public health emergency. The virus is currently spreading in countries that have not seen the disease before.

Making this declaration helps make sure that countries can access the resources that they need, like vaccines, to help curb the spread of mpox.

However, two criteria that have to be met for an outbreak can be called apandemic:

As of July, public health experts are not sure that the mpox outbreak clearly meets both criteria. Investigators are watching the situation very closely and will update as they learn more about how the virus is spreading.

Mpox Global Outbreak Stats

According to the CDC, 71,096 mpox cases have been reported globally in 107 countries since January 1, 2022.

Of those cases, 70,377 cases have been identified in 100 countries that have not reported mpox cases before.

Is Mpox Going to Be Like COVID?

Public health experts do not think that mpox outbreak will be like the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, public health experts still want people who are at risk of being exposed to mpox to take precautions. In some situations, that might includewearing a face maskjust to be safe (for example, if they are around someone who has mpox).

One thing that everyone can do to protect themselves from mpox and many other infectious diseases is toproperly and frequently wash their hands.

An Mpox Patient Explains Testing, Treatment, and Recovery

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on mpox,visit the Verywell Health News page.

For the most up-to-date information on mpox cases where you live, check your local public health department’s website.

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2022 monkeypox outbreak global map.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: 2022 U.S. map & case count.Kaiser Family Foundation.Key questions about the current U.S. monkeypox outbreak.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FAQ: Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox in animals.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: Transmission.World Health Organization.Multi-country monkeypox outbreak: Situation update.Antinori A, Mazzotta V, Vita S, et al.Epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of four cases of monkeypox support transmission through sexual contact, Italy, May 2022.Eurosurveillance.2022;27(22). doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.22.2200421Liu X, Zhu Z, He Y, et al.Monkeypox claims new victims: The outbreak in men who have sex with men.Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 2022;11(1). doi:10.1186/s40249-022-01007-6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Technical report: Multi-national monkeypox outbreak, United States, 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Considerations for monkeypox vaccination.World Health Organization.WHO director-general declares the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Introduction to epidemiology.

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2022 monkeypox outbreak global map.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: 2022 U.S. map & case count.Kaiser Family Foundation.Key questions about the current U.S. monkeypox outbreak.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FAQ: Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox in animals.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: Transmission.World Health Organization.Multi-country monkeypox outbreak: Situation update.Antinori A, Mazzotta V, Vita S, et al.Epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of four cases of monkeypox support transmission through sexual contact, Italy, May 2022.Eurosurveillance.2022;27(22). doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.22.2200421Liu X, Zhu Z, He Y, et al.Monkeypox claims new victims: The outbreak in men who have sex with men.Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 2022;11(1). doi:10.1186/s40249-022-01007-6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Technical report: Multi-national monkeypox outbreak, United States, 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Considerations for monkeypox vaccination.World Health Organization.WHO director-general declares the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Introduction to epidemiology.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2022 monkeypox outbreak global map.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: 2022 U.S. map & case count.Kaiser Family Foundation.Key questions about the current U.S. monkeypox outbreak.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FAQ: Monkeypox.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox in animals.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: Transmission.World Health Organization.Multi-country monkeypox outbreak: Situation update.Antinori A, Mazzotta V, Vita S, et al.Epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of four cases of monkeypox support transmission through sexual contact, Italy, May 2022.Eurosurveillance.2022;27(22). doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.22.2200421Liu X, Zhu Z, He Y, et al.Monkeypox claims new victims: The outbreak in men who have sex with men.Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 2022;11(1). doi:10.1186/s40249-022-01007-6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Technical report: Multi-national monkeypox outbreak, United States, 2022.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Considerations for monkeypox vaccination.World Health Organization.WHO director-general declares the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Introduction to epidemiology.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2022 monkeypox outbreak global map.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: 2022 U.S. map & case count.

Kaiser Family Foundation.Key questions about the current U.S. monkeypox outbreak.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FAQ: Monkeypox.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Monkeypox: Transmission.

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Liu X, Zhu Z, He Y, et al.Monkeypox claims new victims: The outbreak in men who have sex with men.Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 2022;11(1). doi:10.1186/s40249-022-01007-6

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Technical report: Multi-national monkeypox outbreak, United States, 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Considerations for monkeypox vaccination.

World Health Organization.WHO director-general declares the ongoing monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Introduction to epidemiology.

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