The El Paso Department of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed its first two cases of mpox this year. Both cases were men in their 40s who live in the same household. The epidemiology team has begun contact tracing efforts to identify their close contacts and provide vaccinations, according to a press release from the city.
The city launched vaccination efforts in 2022 after the global outbreak reached the United States, administering the vaccine to more than 500 people, including health care workers. Data provided by the health department showed El Paso had seven cases of mpox in 2022 and 2023, almost all occurring in men.
Read more: Everything El Pasoans need to know about the mpox outbreak
Mpox is a viral disease similar to smallpox that spreads through close, usually skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Symptoms include skin lesions that crust over and take two to three weeks to fall off.
The virus disproportionately affects men who have sex with men. Though mpox was not initially considered a sexually transmitted infection, some health experts argue it should be labeled an STI because it often spreads through sexual activity.
El Paso currently has about 200 vaccines available for at-risk people and those identified as close contacts of confirmed cases, with more vaccines being requested to meet the community’s needs, according to a press release from the city.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists risk groups that include people exposed to someone with mpox, men who have sex with men and recently had more than one sexual partner, and people at risk of occupational exposure, such as in a health care setting.
El Paso received its first shipment of the mpox vaccine in summer 2022. (Courtesy of El Paso Department of Public Health)
Dr. Ogechika Alozie, an El Paso infectious disease specialist, recommends only people in high-risk scenarios get the vaccine since doses are limited.
Texas Health and Human Services has reported at least 240 mpox cases so far this year, with the vast majority occurring in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Austin areas. The spread of mpox has slowed down since the start of the outbreak in 2022, but certain large metropolitan areas have seen an uptick in cases in recent months.
“Mpox continues to pose a global health threat, and we urge everyone at-risk to remain vigilant in practicing preventive measures to protect themselves and their families,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso city-county health authority, in a press release. “This includes safeguarding our most vulnerable community members from not only mpox, but also other diseases like COVID-19 and the flu.”
How to get the mpox vaccine in El Paso
El Paso distributes the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine against mpox free of charge at its community health clinics. People can call 915-222-6555 to speak to an epidemiologist, who will screen them and set up an appointment based on their risk factors.
Lower Valley: 9341 Alameda Ave.
Northeast: 9566 Railroad Dr.
Westside: 7380 Remcon Circle
The post El Paso reports its first new mpox cases since 2023 appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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