Since October 2023, the number of cases of Mpox in New York City has been steadily increasing, with individuals who have not been vaccinated or have only received one dose being particularly affected. Prior to 2023, the city saw an average of 2 to 20 cases per month. However, since October, the number of cases has jumped to an average of 36 per month, with a peak of 51 cases in January.
Of the 256 cases reported since October, a staggering 73% of individuals were unvaccinated or had only received one dose. Most notably, 94% of these individuals were men who have sex with men (MSM), primarily Black and Hispanic men between the ages of 25 and 44. The majority of these cases were mild, with only ten individuals requiring hospitalization.
In response to this surge in cases, healthcare providers were urged by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) to continue offering vaccines to at-risk populations, particularly those with HIV or other immunocompromising conditions. The Jynneos vaccine has now transitioned to the commercial market, but federally funded supplies will be available at no cost until early summer. Providers were also reminded about the potential risk posed by clade 1 virus outbreak currently happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While this strain has not been found outside Africa yet, healthcare providers should be cautious about individuals who present with symptoms that match Mpox and have traveled or have connections with this region.
