Austin Returns to the Front Line Against MPOX
The last year saw Austin at the center of a significant health scare – a sudden rise in MPOX, or monkeypox, a zoonotic disease that draws its roots from the virus family responsible for smallpox. After an unsettling outbreak of 371 cases in summer 2022, the disease seemed to have been contained. However, as the summer of 2023 rolls in, Austin Public Health has started reporting a steady stream of new MPOX cases, with Heather Cooks-Sinclair, the manager of epidemiology and disease surveillance at Austin Public Health, citing one to two cases a week.
The MPOX Recurrence
This resurgence in MPOX cases aligns with the peak of summer promotional outdoor activities, including vibrant Austin events such as Austin Pride, intending to bring people together after long periods of isolation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report a total of 1,379 MPOX cases across the U.S. this year alone.
Understanding MPOX
MPOX, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a contagious disease typically transmitted through bodily fluids or via contact. Vulnerability to this disease increases through:
- Direct interaction with the infectious rash, scabs, or affected person’s bodily fluids.
- Close physical interaction fostering the exchange of respiratory secretions.
- Contact with items previously in contact with an infectious individual such as clothing or linens.
- MPOX transmission from infected pregnant individuals to their fetus via the placenta.
Identifying Initial Indicators of MPOX
The generic symptoms of the disease manifest as:
- Fever or chills.
- Headache, muscle aches, or backaches.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- General feeling of exhaustion.
- Pimple or blister-like rash, prevalent on the face, inside the mouth, or in other body areas.
Often, fever, chill, and exhaustion precede the appearance of the rash by a day or two. However, in some instances, the rash might surface first. People are advised to observe themselves and their children for these symptoms and avoid public spaces until they can get a firm diagnosis.
MPOX Vaccination Advocacy
Individuals who belong to high-risk groups, such as those who engage in sexual activity with multiple partners, commercial, group settings, or individuals previously exposed to MPOX, are most strongly advised to receive MPOX vaccination. The vaccine is administered in two doses, a month apart. To offer protection against MPOX, Austin Public Health has made the vaccine available through a scheduled consultation. The vaccination is also provided by Kind Clinic and CommUnityCare. Upon completing the two doses, continuous protection against MPOX is ensured.
Protection Against MPOX and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections
Beyond MPOX, Cooks-Sinclair expresses concerns about more familiar sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, which are currently seeing a significant resurgence. This is largely attributed to a shortage of effective antibiotics. To mitigate infection risk, individuals are advised to adopt safety precautions, such as the use of condoms during sexual activities.