New York City has seen a surge in Mpox cases since January, with a total of 149 individuals testing positive for the virus, including 47 cases confirmed between March 10th and April 6th. The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that the average number of cases per month since October has been 36, with a peak of 51 cases in January.
Between October and April 15th, a total of 256 cases were reported, with most (188) among individuals who were not vaccinated against Mpox or had only received one dose. However, the health department notes that case numbers were low throughout most of 2023, ranging from two to 20 per month between January and September. Since then, there has been a significant increase in cases, particularly among men who have sex with men.
Mpox is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes smallpox and mainly spreads through intimate contact among social networks of gay men, men who have sex with men, and transgender people. The health department emphasizes the importance of vaccination as a safe method to prevent infection and reduce symptoms associated with Mpox. Individuals who may have been exposed or are at risk of exposure are encouraged to get vaccinated against Mpox.
