CDC reports more mpox cases as authorities brace for summer resurgence

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week identified 21 more cases of mpox, the disease formerly called monkeypoxas authorities now prepare for the possibility of a resurgence in the coming months.

Illinois accounts for the largest share of new cases, with nine new infections reported to CDC. New York and Maryland each had three additional infections.

The total number of Mpox cases for Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Virginia each increased by one since last week.

The agency has recently deployed staff to investigate a number of cases around chicago, which includes several infections of fully vaccinated men. Health officials say the outbreak has primarily involved men who have sex with men.

“The CDC is working with the Chicago Department of Health to investigate this cluster and look specifically at why we’re seeing more vaccinated cases than expected,” CDC mpox response manager Dr. Christopher Braden said in a recent call with clinicians.

One theory being investigated is that the virus may have evolved mutations to evade the two-dose Jynneos vaccines that were rolled out last year to protect against it.

It is unclear when samples from the cases will be sequenced. A spokesperson for the Chicago Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment.

CDC scientists have warned of other concerning mutations spotted in the virus which causes mpox disease, which is still called monkeypox virus.

In a unpublished study which has not yet been peer reviewed, the CDC reported that strains of monkeypox had emerged with signs of resistance to tecovirimat, the main antiviral drug used to treat patients. One of these worrying mutations has also been detected “in a cluster of cases” around Los Angeles. This suggests that drug-resistant monkeypox can be transmitted from person to person in at least “rare cases”.

Overall, the United States is still average less than three cases reported each day, far fewer than the hundreds of infections reported in the summer of last year.

A total of 32 infections have so far been diagnosed for the month of May. Last month had reached a sum of 41 mpox cases.

But authorities have warned for months of the imminent risk of a resurgence this year among communities most at risk, such as men who have sex with men, starting with travel and festivities around the month of pride in june.

“The risk of short-term clusters and outbreaks is substantial and outbreaks could be significant, particularly in the warmer months, with planned gatherings likely to result in skin-to-skin contact and increased sexual activity,” Braden said.

THE Chicago Cluster also prompted the Biden administration to begin evaluating whether a change in vaccine strategy — such as additional boosters — might soon be needed.

“We have already, very immediately after seeing the Chicago cluster, convened people in the US government to discuss what data we have and whether there needs to be a change,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the House. Blanche to reporters last week. .

For now, Daskalakis said the CDC is still urging Americans at Risk to receive only the initial two doses of the Jynneos vaccine.

CDC modeling suggests the vaccine could still mitigate the magnitude of a resurgence, even if immunity begins to wane. Studies published last week suggest that two doses were between 66% and 86% effective earlier in the outbreak.

In progress studies residents vaccinated in California and Washington, DC, as well as the survey results in Chicago, could open the door to other vaccines.

“We’re involved in that, from the point of view of the science discussions and we’re obviously, as the response track record kind of demonstrates, really adjusting our strategy based on what the science is showing us,” Daskalakis said.