San Diego County reports surge in Mpox, monkeypox cases

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego County is seeing a slight surge in Mpox cases, with health officials reporting seven new cases in the months of May and June.

That is up from the previous average of about one to two Mpox cases reported to county public health officials each month this year so far.

According to the county, the surge mirrors a similar increase in Los Angeles, where 10 new cases were reported in the last few weeks. It is unclear if it is the same deadly strain that has been circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mpox, previously referred to as Monkeypox, is an infectious viral disease that was behind a global outbreak back in 2022, which most notably impacted members of the LGBTQ+ community.

According to health officials, the virus is primarily transmitted through prolonged, direct exposure to the Mpox virus through the passing of respiratory droplets or close skin-to-skin contact.

Symptoms of an Mpox infection — like painful rashes in sensitive areas, enlarged lymph nodes and fever — often begin to set in around five to 21 days after exposure and can last anywhere from two to four weeks, according to health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes it as rarely fatal given the availability of vaccines and treatments, but severe outcomes can occur, notably for individuals who are immunocompromised.

Of the cases reported in San Diego County this year, four were in people who had not received the two-shot vaccination against Mpox — JYNNEOS.

“It’s important for people to get both doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to protect themselves against the Mpox virus,” Dr. Ankita Kadakia, San Diego County’s interim public health officer, said in a release on Tuesday.

“We know the summer brings more opportunities for events and festivals that could increase the spread of Mpox, so now is a great time to get the vaccine or finish both doses and encourage friends to do the same,” Kadakia continued.

To find out more about the Mpox immunization, public health officials encourage those who are unvaccinated to speak with their health care provider, visit myturn.ca.gov or call 2-1-1 for help finding a center who can administer the shot.

After receiving the first dose in the regime, people are encouraged to get a second inoculation of the JYNNEOS vaccine 28 days later for maximum protection.