mpox

What is mpox  

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus. Monkeypox virus is not related to chickenpox. There are two types of Monkeypox virus, clade I and clade II. In the United States, clade II is in circulation, while clade I has been rarely documented, mostly in travel-associated cases.

As of March 2026, Clade II cases are common in the US, introduction of Clade I into the United States is a public health concern given that Clade I is associated with more severe outcomes than Clade II. Most persons with Clade II infections will recover without treatment beyond supportive care and pain management. It is important that providers report suspicion of Clade I mpox to public health immediately to ensure early interventions to confirm Clade I involvement and to prevent further spread are implemented.

More information about Mpox can be found here: About Monkeypox | Monkeypox | CDC

How does it spread

  • Monkeypox virus spreads from person to person in several ways. These include:
    • direct contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
    • respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
    • touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
    • pregnant mothers can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
  • Monkeypox virus can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. People who do not have symptoms of mpox cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox virus can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.

More information about transmission can be found here: How Monkeypox Spreads | Monkeypox | CDC

High Risk Groups

  • Anyone can contract monkeypox virus. The current outbreak so far has been overwhelmingly among men who have sex with men, which is why this group is considered high risk at this time. Communities that are considered high risk may vary by location and it’s important to know that monkeypox virus can spread through circumstances and contact that are not sexual.
  • Children younger than 1, people who are pregnant or immunocompromised, and those with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema may be at increased risk for severe outcomes from mpox.

More information can be found here: About Monkeypox | Monkeypox | CDC

Signs and symptoms

  • People with mpox get a rash that may be located anywhere on the body. During the 2022 outbreak, common locations have included the genitals or anal area, however, it could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
    • The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
    • The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
  • Other symptoms of mpox can include:
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Swollen lymph nodes
    • Exhaustion
    • Muscle aches and backache
    • Headache
    • Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

Learn more about the symptoms of monkeypox and the appearance of the monkeypox rash at Signs and Symptoms of Monkeypox | Monkeypox | CDC

What to do if I think I have it/Testing  

  • If you think you are sick with mpox or have been told you have tested positive:
    • Follow CDC’s isolation guidance at Isolation and Infection Control At Home | Monkeypox | CDC
    • Remain isolated if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, including sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. Only go out to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency.
    • If you need to leave isolation, you should cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask.
    • If you have questions about isolation, you can reach out to your healthcare provider or local health department.
  • Testing
    • Testing for monkeypox virus involves swabbing a lesion and sending the sample to a lab for testing. Tests that identify an active infection are not yet available for patients who do not have lesions but do have other symptoms of mpox.
    • If you begin to show symptoms of mpox, contact your healthcare provider to be tested. Urgent care centers and health clinics also may be able to test for mpox.
    • For more information on testing, visit Diagnostic Testing for Monkeypox | Monkeypox | CDC 

Vaccination and PEP

  • Vaccines
    • A commercially available vaccine, JYNNEOS, is a 2-dose vaccine developed to protect against Mpox and smallpox. 
    • JYNNEOS may be available at your local health department under rare circumstances, but is more commonly available at your private physicians. This transition occurred following the commercialization of the vaccine on April 1st, 2024. JYNNEOS may be available through public health most commonly for post-exposure prophylaxis or in emergency circumstances.
  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
    • JYNNEOS can be given as post-exposure prophylaxis to people with known or presumed exposure to monkeypox. Post-exposure vaccine should be given as soon as possible, ideally within 4 days of exposure; administration 4 through 14 days after exposure may still provide some protection against monkeypox virus.
  • It’s important to know that if you have symptoms of mpox or have been infected in the past, JYNNEOS is not recommended. 
    • JYNNEOS is not shown to have a therapeutic effect for persons currently infected with monkeypox virus, it is NOT a treatment for illness
    • Natural immunity acquired after recovering from mpox is not enhanced by receiving JYNNEOS after that recovery.
  • For more information on JYNNEOS as vaccination and PEP, visit Monkeypox Vaccination | Monkeypox | CDC

Medical Countermeasures (mpox antivirals)

While there are currently no treatments specifically approved for mpox, therapeutics developed for patients with smallpox have been deployed during the 2022 mpox outbreak. Use of Tecovirimat (TPOXX) and other treatments should be considered in patients who may benefit from them. Clinical trials have shown that persons who do not have severe disease or risk factors for severe disease will recover with supportive care and pain management. 

CDC's guidance requires the state health department to be included in the request for TPOXX or other medical countermeasures for mpox treatment. Georgia DPH does not retain stores of mpox medical countermeasures, and therefore all requests must ultimately go through CDC with state HD support.  

To expedite this process, providers should first review the information at Tecovirimat (TPOXX) for Treatment of Monkeypox to determine eligibility of their patient and to review information on the benefits of TPOXX and other medical countermeasures, Expanded Access Investigational New Drug (EA IND) criteria, and have information available ahead of the consult. Of note, EA IND countermeasures cannot be released without provider participation in this process.

A provider who would like to initiate a request for mpox medical countermeasures - after they have reviewed eligibility criteria and EA IND requirements - should reach out to 1-866-PUB-HLTH (782-4584) to be connected to an epidemiologist to initiate the request with appropriate federal partners.