Ongoing Clade II Mpox Global Outbreak

Clade II mpox around the world

Prior to the 2022 global outbreak, clade II mpox was found in Western Africa, with occasional travel-related cases in other parts of the world.

Since the outbreak began, clade II mpox has been seen in many countries where mpox had not previously been reported. Clusters of cases continue in these same areas.

Improved surveillance because of the ongoing capacity-building during the outbreak means cases can be found quickly. In recent months, there have been outbreaks in South Africa and Cote d'Ivoire.

Since 2022, there have been a total of more than 102,000 clade II mpox cases worldwide, with 222 reported deaths. Overall, the number of cases worldwide have gone down steadily since the peak in 2022. In 2024, there have been nearly 9,000 cases of clade II mpox around the world (Source: WHO).

CDC continues to work with international partners, global health organizations, and ministries of health on mpox preparedness, surveillance, and testing.

Mpox in the United States

Here's what we know about mpox in the United States right now.

1. The number of illnesses reported recently is far below the peak of the outbreak in July and August 2022, when the national 7-day average was more than 450 cases a day (or more than 11,000 per month). U.S. case counts have remained consistent at about 250 a month since October 2023.
2. In 2023, there were a total of about 1,700 cases. So far in 2024, about 1,900 cases have been reported.
3. Clade II mpox is still mostly being spread through sexual and intimate contact, and in the United States gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are at the highest risk of getting mpox.
4. A CDC study indicates that getting two doses of mpox vaccine works to prevent mpox. It's rare for people to get mpox after they've been fully vaccinated or recovered from a prior infection.
5. Tecovirimat (TPOXX) is an investigational antiviral drug has been used to treat mpox, especially people with severe mpox or who are likely to get severely ill. The safety and effectiveness of TPOXX are being evaluated through the STOMP clinical trial. If you know someone newly diagnosed with mpox, encourage them to join this trial to get access to TPOXX and help people in the future.
6. Based on what we know, people who have already had mpox or have had both doses of mpox vaccine are likely to be protected against both clades of mpox. This includes clade I mpox, which is the kind of mpox circulating in Central and Eastern Africa.

What you should do

If you're eligible for the mpox vaccine, get vaccinated!

If you are a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, or if you're transgender, gender non-binary, or gender-diverse AND have other sexual risk factors, you're eligible.

Most new clade II mpox cases continue to be in people at higher risk for mpox who were not vaccinated with JYNNEOS.

Wondering about boosters? A CDC study indicates that people who have received both doses do not need booster doses at this time. The CDC is continuing to monitor how well vaccine is working and will update recommendations as we learn more.

There have been a small number of infections in people who have been vaccinated, but vaccination is likely to make the infection milder and reduce the risk of severe infection and death.

You should get two doses of JYNNEOS 4 weeks apart. Even if it's been longer than 4 weeks since the first vaccine dose, you should get the second dose as soon as possible. If you've already been diagnosed with mpox, you don't need the vaccine.

Avoid skin-to-skin contact and contaminated materials if people may be sick

During the past two years, sexual behavior and other changes by people at higher risk for mpox helped reduce the spread of mpox.

If you're at risk and haven't gotten both doses of the vaccine yet, consider getting vaccinated to protect yourself.

Whether or not you've been fully vaccinated, other ways to protect yourself include avoiding close contact with people who are sick with signs and symptoms of mpox, including those with skin or genital lesions. In some cases, symptoms may be mild. If you or a sexual partner has or recently had mpox symptoms, or you have a new or unexplained rash anywhere on their body, see a healthcare provider. People who have mpox symptoms should not have sex or other close contact with people while they are ill, and until their rash is completely healed (which may take several weeks or more).

Also, avoid contact with contaminated materials used by people who are sick (such as clothing, bedding, toothbrushes, sex toys, or materials used in healthcare settings).

What CDC is doing

• Since 2022, CDC has increased our capacity to detect cases of mpox through existing surveillance systems, including wastewater testing.
• CDC, public health, and commercial laboratories increased testing capacity to find cases of mpox quickly.
• CDC is working with state, tribal, local, territorial, and commercial partners to closely monitor for mpox cases so health officials can quickly respond.
• CDC works with key partners in the United States to get the word out about vaccinating and reducing mpox risk.
• CDC prioritizes health equity and continues to work with partners in the LGBTQ+ community to support vaccine uptake among the communities disproportionately affected by mpox. You can see some of this work in social media videos with Dashaun Wesley in collaboration with CDC Foundation.
• CDC supports state and local health departments to increase mpox vaccine accessibility, demand, and uptake.
• CDC funds studies to better understand why people decide to get vaccinated against mpox or not. Partner organizations, including the National Coalition of STD Directors and National Coalition for Sexual Health, took this research to develop equity-centered and free communications materials and a communication toolkit.

Resources

For the public

For clinicians, public health partners, and laboratory staff