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Monkeypox: Updated CDC Data On Vaccines and Cases

As of August 16, there have been more than 12,600 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox in 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, including more than 100 in Ohio. Recognizing the potential threat posed by the orthopoxvirus, the genus of viruses that includes monkeypox, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued their highest level of global alert by declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared the spread of the virus a Public Health Emergency (PHE) in the United States. This designation will strengthen and accelerate the administration’s response.

In late June, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its Emergency Operations Center to strengthen the agency’s monkeypox response to provide resources and operational support. That same month, CDC began distributing its orthopoxvirus test to five commercial laboratory companies. All five currently taking part in the U.S. government’s expanded orthopoxvirus testing effort – Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, Aegis Sciences, and Sonic Healthcare USA – have begun testing. Combined with the existing capability of the facilities in the Laboratory Response Network, this brings the total U.S. testing capacity to at least 80,000 per week.

Vaccines Update

Two smallpox vaccines licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are available to prevent monkeypox: JYNNEOS, also known as Imvamune or Imvanex, and ACAM2000. CDC and HHS are working closely with partners to ensure there are enough vaccine doses available to vaccinate all people for whom vaccination is recommended, including people who have been exposed to monkeypox or are at high risk for exposure.

As of August 4, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has delivered more than 602,000 dozes of JYNNEOS from the Strategic National Stockpile. In conjunction with HHS’ enhanced national strategy, this vaccine has been prioritized for areas with the highest number of cases to meet the needs of at-risk individuals in the hardest-hit areas.

Jurisdictions with lower monkeypox case counts, including Ohio, have been allocated a limited supply of the JYNNEOS vaccine. The Ohio Department of Health is working closely with local health departments to get this limited supply out as quickly as possible to Ohio communities with the highest case counts and highest risk for spread.

JYNNEOS requires two doses, 28 days apart. This means the full effectiveness of the vaccine can take up to six weeks. Additional preventive measures are recommended including avoiding close skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash, avoiding contact with items that a person with monkeypox has used, and washing your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. Caused by a virus that can spread from animals to people, once infected, a person can then spread the disease by close contact with another person. This includes prolonged face-to-face contact and sexual contact.

Symptoms and Severity

Considered a rare, but potentially serious disease, monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of lymph nodes and progresses to include a widespread rash on the face and body. However, some recent cases have included patients developing rashes without ever having any flu-like symptoms first.

In this current outbreak, the type of monkeypox being reported is rarely fatal and more than 99% of people infected with this disease are likely to survive. Caused by a virus that is in the same family as the virus that causes smallpox, monkeypox usually results in a milder infection which tends to last two to four weeks and resolve without specific treatment. Groups at higher risk of severe illness includes children under the age of 8, people with weakened immune systems or are pregnant and people with history of atopic dermatitis or eczema. In late July, CDC learned of the first cases of monkeypox among children during this outbreak. You can read their findings: Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox in Children and Adolescents.

Communication

CDC is encouraging partner organizations to help provide education and reduce stigma by sharing messaging that increases awareness of monkeypox while reducing the chances of stigmatizing those who may have contact with the virus or marginalizing groups assumed to be at increased risk. Important actions to take include:

• Sharing information on what monkeypox is and how it is spread, and encouraging healthcare for anyone experiencing related symptoms.
• Emphasizing that monkeypox is a public health concern for all and anyone can get it.
• When using imagery, show realistic images, not extreme cases, and include people from diverse backgrounds.
• Reach out to disproportionately affected communities using targeted channels to specifically connect with those individuals and share non-alarmist, fact-based messaging that provides the tools they can use to protect themselves and others.

For more information on prevention practices, symptoms and vaccines, please visit: Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC