The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning of the possible resurgence of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, ahead of summer gatherings.
“The spring and summer season in 2023 could lead to a resurgence of mpox as people gather for festivals and other events,” read a CDC warning issued Monday.
The agency revealed that there were 12 confirmed and one probable cases of mpox reported in the Chicago area between April 17 and May 5.
None of the patients had been hospitalized. They were all men.
Nine of the 13 patients had received two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is intended to prevent smallpox and monkeypox in adults, according to the CDC.
In the spring of 2022, a global outbreak of the viral disease occurred, prompting the US to declare a health emergency due to its spread.
More than 30,000 cases have been reported in the US as of May 10, according to the CDC.
The outbreak peaked at about 460 cases per day in August 2022.
One of the most noticeable symptoms is a rash that presents as small, flat bumps on the skin that enlarge and fill with pus, according to The Cleveland Clinic.
Usually, these sores eventually flake off, but that can take two to four weeks.
Not everyone who has the virus develops a rash.
The Cleveland Clinic noted that other symptoms of mpox include fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue.
The virus “disproportionately” affects gay and bisexual men and transgender people, the CDC warns.
Women, children and heterosexual men can also get the disease – everyone is susceptible.
Mpox is rarely fatal, but some people can get very sick.
It is usually spread through very close contact with others, such as being intimate and having skin-to-skin contact.
It can also be passed on through contaminated objects such as sheets or clothing, according to the World Health Organization, which last week declared mpox no longer a global health emergency.
The CDC is urging doctors to encourage vaccinations for those who may be at risk for the disease.
Vaccination can help reduce the symptoms and severity of the infection, the agency notes.
