CDC reports more mpox cases as authorities brace for summer resurgence
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 21 more cases of M. pox this week. Formerly called monkey pox.as authorities are now looking into the possibility of one. Recovery in the coming months.
With nine new infections, Illinois accounts for the largest share of new cases. Reported to CDC.. New York and Maryland each counted three additional infections.
The total number of Mpox cases in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Virginia increased by one from last week.
The agency has recently deployed staff to investigate several cases. Around Chicago, including multiple infections in fully vaccinated men. Health officials say the outbreak primarily involves men who have sex with men.
“CDC is collaborating with the Chicago Department of Health to investigate this cluster and specifically evaluate what we expect,” said Dr. Christopher Braden, director of CDC’s MP Oaks Response. Why are there more vaccinated cases than are seen.” A recent call With physicians.
One theory being investigated is that the virus has evolved to avoid the two-dose Genius vaccine that was given last year to protect against it.
It is not clear when the sample cases will be ordered. A spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment.
CDC scientists have warned of other mutations found in it. The virus which causes Mpox disease, which It is still called monkeypox virus.
In one Unpublished study In what has yet to be peer-reviewed, the CDC reported that strains of monkeypox have emerged with signs of resistance to tacovirmate, the main antiviral drug. Used to treat patients.. One of these worrisome mutations was also detected in “a cluster of cases” around Los Angeles. It suggests that drug-resistant monkeypox can be transmitted from person to person, at least in “rare cases”.
Overall, America still is Average Fewer than three cases are reported each day, down from the hundreds of infections reported last summer.
A total of 32 infections have been diagnosed so far in the month of May. Last month, the number of MPOX cases reached 41.
But officials have warned for months that the risk of a resurgence is highest this year among communities, such as men who have sex with men, travel and festivals around Pride month in June. Starting from
“The risk of short-term clustering and spread is substantial and outbreaks can be large, especially in warmer months, with planned gatherings that may increase skin-to-skin contact and sexual activity,” Braden said. “
gave Chicago Cluster It also prompted the Biden administration to begin weighing whether changes in vaccine strategy — such as additional boosters — might be needed soon.
“Immediately after we saw the Chicago cluster, we called people within the US government to discuss what data we had and if any,” White House Dr. Change is needed,” .
For now, Diskalakis said the CDC is still pushing. Americans at risk To receive only the first two doses of the Jynneos vaccine.
CDC modeling It turns out The vaccine can still kill the regenerating size, even if immunity starts to wear off. the study The recommendation released last week showed the two doses were between 66% and 86% effective before the outbreak.
to be continued. the study The results of the investigation in Chicago, along with vaccinated residents in California and Washington, D.C., could open the door to more shots.
“We’re on this from the point of view of having a scientific conversation and obviously, as the track record of the response shows, really adjust our strategy based on what the science is showing us,” Diskalakis said. said