ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County Whole Health issued a health alert Monday warning residents of a rise in mpox cases, previously known as monkeypox, in New York State after 26 new cases were detected in New York City from July 7 to Aug. 3.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global public health emergency regarding a new strain and subsequent outbreak of mpox Aug. 14. County and state health agencies have recorded zero cases of the new strain in Tompkins County or the Southern Tier Region as of Aug. 21, according to the alert.
Mpox is a virus that spreads through close physical contact, including direct skin-to-skin contact with the lesions, sores or rashes that form as a result of the infection. The virus also spreads through contact with wound dressings and fabrics, such as bedding and clothing, that have touched the sores. These rashes can present as bumps or blisters on or around the genitals or in other areas such as the hands, feet, chest or face.
Case trends demonstrate that mpox spreads “most frequently among men who have sex with men, a group that includes people who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary,” the alert said.
Symptoms of mpox infection include swollen lymph glands, flu-like fevers, headaches, muscle aches, chills and fatigue, which may occur, before or after the rash appears. Or, in some cases, not at all. It can take up to 21 days after exposure for someone to develop signs of the infection.
Mpox is contagious from the onset of symptoms or rash until the scabs have “dried up and fallen off,” and the skin is healing well underneath, the alert said.
Four mpox cases caused by the original strain of the virus have been recorded as “confirmed or probable” in Tompkins County by the New York State Department of Health, according to data via the department’s website. None of the four cases were detected in the last week.
Whole Health recommended residents 18 or older receive the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine to “best prevent risk,” in the alert. The vaccine is available to anyone, regardless of insurance status, at the agency’s Friday Immunization Clinics, located at 55 Brown Road in Ithaca. The clinic opens at 9:00 a.m., closes for a break from noon to 1:00 p.m., and then reopens until 4:00 p.m.
The vaccine prevents infection from both the new mpox strain causing the most recent outbreak and the original strain that prompted the Biden administration to declare a national health emergency in 2022, after leaders in major cities with high infection rates, including New York City and San Francisco, criticized a lack of federal support in their vaccination efforts.
The original strain of the mpox virus infected hundreds of New Yorkers in 2022, mostly residents in NYC. Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an Executive Order July 29, declaring the outbreak a state disaster to speed up vaccination efforts in the state.
A day earlier, the New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett declared monkeypox an Imminent Threat to Public Health, which allowed local health departments to access additional state reimbursements in the case federal funding became unavailable.
The 26 most recent cases identified in NYC were caused by the original strain of mpox, the alert said. Since Jan. 1, 2024, 307 people in NYC have tested positive for mpox as of Aug. 8.
The new strain of mpox causes a rash that presents differently from ones caused by the original strain. The alert warned that internet searches for “mpox rashes” may look different. Any suspicious new rashes, bumps or blisters should be examined by a healthcare provider.
If an individual is concerned about their personal risk or has been experiencing symptoms, healthcare providers, including those at sexual health clinics and urgent care centers, can perform a risk-assessment and identify the appropriate steps to take. Often this includes swabbing a lesion to test for the virus. The individual must isolate while awaiting their test results.
The alert urged local healthcare providers who suspect mpox in patients to call Tompkins Whole Health to speak with a communicable disease nurse for additional guidance.
Treatments for those who meet criteria and are infected with mpox include antiviral medication, according to the alert. Anyone without a healthcare provider or insurance and is seeking a local provider is encouraged to dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667).
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