Basketball statisticians know that paying attention to the numbers can help teams spot threats and adjust their defensive strategy. Along those lines, the Virginia Department of Health has observed an increasing number of mpox cases in 2024. In the first three months of 2024, the number of cases across the commonwealth have already surpassed the number of cases we saw in all of 2023, which is an indication that we need to return to the practices we know keep our communities safe.
Fortunately, RHHD Deputy Director Dr. Melissa Viray can help create a game plan for protecting ourselves and our loved ones against mpox:
Get vaccinated
Sadly, what we’re seeing now is that the individuals who are getting mpox infection are not vaccinated, which means that some of this might have been preventable. We have the JYNNEOS vaccine available at all three of our clinic sites. For an appointment, you can call 804-205-3501.
Learn about risk, but recognize that anyone can contract mpox
When we think about how you get mpox, we think about close contact with infectious secretions. The rash itself from mpox can be infectious, and when you come into contact with that, you can contract mpox. To date, most of the mpox cases we’ve seen have been in among patients who identify as gay, transgender, or men who have sex with men, but anybody can get mpox.
Know the symptoms and get tested when they appear:
Individuals with mpox can develop a fever, malaise, kind of that icky flu feeling. Sometimes they can have a little bit of a cough, but not everybody has though. In general, what everybody has had is a rash, in some cases throughout the body or localized. If you think you may have been exposed to mpox and you develop symptoms, you should go ahead and get evaluated to test for mpox. There is a treatment available for severe cases of mpox or for those who may have a weakened immune system. You can also explore CDC resources for instructions on what to do when you’re feeling sick with mpox symptoms.
