In recent months, the number of cases of Mpox in New York City has been steadily increasing. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) reports that since October 2023, there has been an average of 36 cases per month, with a peak of 51 in January. Most of the cases were mild, with only 10 people requiring hospitalization.
However, the majority of cases involved men who have sex with men, particularly among Black and Hispanic men aged 25 to 44. Interestingly, 73% of the cases were in individuals who were unvaccinated or had only received one dose. This highlights the importance of vaccination for at-risk groups, especially those with HIV or other immunocompromising conditions.
The Jynneos vaccine will be transitioning to the commercial market soon, but federally funded supplies will remain available until early summer. Healthcare providers are urged to continue encouraging and offering vaccines to at-risk groups and to refer them to vaccination sites if necessary. They are also being cautioned about the risk of the more severe clade 1 virus, which is currently causing a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While this strain has not been detected outside Africa, healthcare providers are advised to be vigilant for individuals exhibiting Mpox symptoms with travel history or connections to the DRC.
