ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Health Department issued a health alert Monday warning residents about an increase in cases of MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, after 26 new cases were detected in New York state between July 7 and August 3.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new strain and subsequent MPOX outbreak a global public health emergency on Aug. 14. County and state health officials 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 body contact, including direct skin contact with lesions, sores, or rashes that form as a result of infection. The virus can also spread through contact with fabrics, such as wound dressings, bedding, or clothing, that have touched the sores. These rashes may appear as bumps or blisters on or around the genitals, or on other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, or face.
According to the alert, case trends indicate that MPOX “is most prevalent among men who have sex with men, a group that includes people who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary.”
Symptoms of an MPOX infection may include swollen lymph nodes, flu-like fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue, which may occur before or after the rash appears, or may not occur at all. It may take up to 21 days after infection for signs of infection to appear.
According to the alert, chickenpox remains contagious from the time the symptoms or rash appear until the scabs “dry and fall off” and healing is progressing smoothly underneath the skin.
In Tompkins County, four MPOX cases caused by the original strain of the virus have been recorded as “confirmed or suspected,” according to data on the New York State Department of Health's website. None of the four cases were detected in the last week.
In its alert, Whole Health encourages residents 18 and older to get the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine to “most effectively protect against risk.” The vaccine is available to anyone, regardless of insurance, at the department's Friday vaccination clinic at 55 Brown Road in Ithaca. The clinic will open at 9 a.m., close for a break from noon to 1 p.m., then reopen at 4 p.m.
The vaccine protects against infection from both the new MPOX strain driving recent outbreaks and the original strain that prompted the Biden administration to declare a national public health emergency in 2022 after leaders of large cities with high infection rates, including New York City and San Francisco, criticized the lack of federal support for vaccinations.
In 2022, the original strain of the MPOX virus infected hundreds of New Yorkers, mostly New York City residents. On July 29, Governor Kathy Hawkle declared the outbreak a state disaster and issued an executive order to accelerate vaccination efforts in the state.
The previous day, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett had declared monkeypox an imminent threat to public health, allowing local health departments to receive additional state reimbursements if federal funds became unavailable.
According to the alert, 26 recently confirmed cases in New York City were caused by the original strain of MPOX. Since January 1, 2024, as of August 8, 307 people in New York City have tested positive for MPOX.
The new types of mpox cause rashes that have different symptoms than the rash caused by the original type. The warning warns that searching the internet for “mpox rash” may reveal a different appearance. If you have a suspicious new rash, swelling, or blisters, you should see a medical professional.
If an individual is concerned about their risk or is experiencing symptoms, a health care provider, such as at a sexual health clinic or urgent care center, can carry out a risk assessment and identify appropriate procedures. This often involves swabbing the lesions to test for the virus. The individual should isolate while waiting for the test results.
The alert urged local health care providers who suspect MPOX in their patients to call Tompkins Hall Health to speak with an infectious disease nurse and receive additional guidance.
According to the alert, treatment for those who meet the criteria and are infected with MPOX includes the use of antiviral medications. People without a health care provider or insurance who are looking for a local provider are encouraged to call 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667).
