What are the first signs of mpox? Cases in Austin area are ramping up again this summer.

Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman

Austin Public Health is starting to see cases of mpox again. It is not to the level of the initial summer 2022 outbreak, when there were 371 cases in Central Texas, according to state health officials, but Heather Cooks-Sinclair, the manager of epidemiology and disease surveillance at Austin Public Health, said she is seeing one to two cases a week.

"This is the time of year," she said.

Many outdoor festivals happen in summer, including Austin Pride, and people are mingling with new groups of people.

This year, there have been 1,379 cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Formerly known as monkeypox, mpox is a part of the same virus family that causes smallpox. It is a disease that often spreads through bodily fluids and contact, according to the CDC.

The mpox virus did not go away after the 2022 outbreak. Central Texas is seeing a resurgence this summer.
The mpox virus did not go away after the 2022 outbreak. Central Texas is seeing a resurgence this summer.

How does mpox spread?

  • Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or bodily fluids.

  • Respiratory secretions with face-to-face contact during activities such as kissing, cuddling or sex.

  • Touching items such as clothing or linens that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.

  • Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

  • Fever.

  • Headache.

  • Muscle aches and backache.

  • Swollen lymph nodes.

  • Chills.

  • Exhaustion.

  • A rash that can look like pimples or blisters. It can be on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus.

People should monitor themselves and their children for any of these symptoms and not go to public places until they can get a diagnosis. Sometimes the fever, chills and exhaustion begin a day or two before the rash. Sometimes those symptoms don't appear first.

A vaccine for mpox requires two doses, one month apart, for full protection.
A vaccine for mpox requires two doses, one month apart, for full protection.

What can you do to protect against mpox?

If you are in an at-risk group such as people who have sex with multiple partners or in a commercial or group setting, or have been around someone who has mpox, you should get vaccinated.

The vaccine is delivered with two injections, one month apart. If you had only one dose, you should still get that second dose, and you do not have to start the series over. The vaccine is available through Austin Public Health by calling 512-972-5520. Kind Clinic and CommUnityCare also have been vaccine providers.

Once you have completed two doses, you should have continuous protection.

Take cautions beyond mpox

Cooks-Sinclair worries about all sexually transmitted infections. Right now, the bacterial sexually transmitted infections — including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis — are seeing a resurgence, especially syphilis. This is due in part to a shortage of the antibiotic that works best for these infections.

Using a barrier such as a condom during sex can reduce your risk for these infections.

Read more: Why are syphilis rates rising in Austin? What you need to know about surge in cases.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What is mpox? Austin-area cases increasing again this summer

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