Overview

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The World Health Organization, WHO, recommends that the monkeypox virus, MPV, be called mpox to reduce stigma.

Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection. Mpox was discovered in 1958 and resurfaced in May 2022 in several countries where it is not endemic, including the United States. The virus spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual; contact with contaminated objects, fabrics, or surfaces; or, occasionally, contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual.

Mpox presents as a pimple- or blister-like rash that goes through several phases, including scabbing, before fully healing. Other common symptoms include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and last anywhere between 2–4 weeks. Although Mpox may be painful or itchy, it is rarely fatal. In the U.S., there has only been one confirmed death from Mpox in a patient who was severely immunocompromised.

Mpox is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, and scientists are still investigating whether the virus can be spread via bodily fluids. However, any prolonged, skin-to-skin contact to an infected person, including sex, does increase the risk of transmission. In the current outbreak, most cases are associated with sexual contact.

On August 4, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra declared the 2022 U.S. Mpox outbreak a “public health emergency.” Anyone can spread or contract Mpox regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, but the virus is spreading in high numbers among gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with other men. According to CDC data from August 12, 99% of early Mpox cases occurred in cisgender and transgender men, 94% of whom reported recent male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact. Black and Latinx people, people living with HIV, and people who were recently diagnosed with STIs are disproportionately impacted in this outbreak, although limited testing capacity has made it difficult to accurately gauge the scope and nuances of Mpox cases throughout the U.S.

GLAAD and the CDC have created resources to combat anti-LGBTQ stigma in Mpox-related communications. Anyone can get Mpox, and cisgender women have also contracted the virus.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the White House’s National Mpox Response Deputy Coordinator, has likened the 2022 Mpox outbreak to 2008’s MRSA outbreak among athletes. These players contracted MRSA because they engaged in skin-to-skin contact and shared facilities with infected athletes, not because they are athletes. Similarly, Mpox transmission is more accurately linked to behavior than to a person’s identity.

Since skin-to-skin contact during sex is the main mode of transmission in this outbreak, nearly half of gay and bisexual men have reported reducing their number of sexual partners and/or one-time hookups to protect themselves and their partners from Mpox.

Since Mpox is in the same viral family as smallpox, the FDA has authorized the use of JYNNEOS, an existing smallpox vaccine, in areas with active outbreaks. The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to or may be more likely to get Mpox. On August 9, the FDA also said the JYNNEOS vaccine can be delivered intradermally, which requires a smaller dosage and will increase the overall vaccine supply. In response, HHS accelerated its rollout of JYNNEOS vaccines to states and jurisdictions and unveiled a pilot program to provide vaccines at large-scale LGBTQ gatherings.