Mpox is a disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. The mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox but is not the same as smallpox.

Symptoms of mpox can include:

• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body such as the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Feeling very tired

Infections caused by the strain that is currently spreading in the United States are rarely Over 99% of people who get this form of the disease are likely to survive. Children under age 8, people with weakened immune systems, a history of skin problems such as eczema, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding may be more likely to get seriously ill or die. Even though it is rarely fatal, mpox can be very painful and the rash may cause permanent scars.

At this time, the risk of mpox in the United States is thought to be low for the general public. It does not spread easily between people, such as passing someone in a store, sitting near them in a room, or talking outdoors several feet apart. From the time a person is exposed and when symptoms start is long enough to give public health officials time to start finding the people who may have had contact with an infected person. This helps break the chain of infection. In the current outbreak, data suggest that some groups may be at increased risk and should use increased caution. This includes anyone who has multiple sexual partners.

Although these diseases can all cause rashes, they are all separate illnesses.

Mpox virus is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox; however, mpox is milder and less fatal. A feature that distinguishes infection with mpox from that of smallpox is the development of swollen lymph nodes, which can occur on the neck, armpits, or groin area and can appear on both sides of the body or just one. Since 1980, smallpox has been declared eradicated (eliminated) thanks to widespread vaccination and disease control efforts. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977.

Mpox can spread in different ways. It can spread from person to person through direct contact with the rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can also spread by face-to-face contact through respiratory droplets, or during close contact such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. Scabs are much less infectious than respiratory secretions. Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Touching items such as clothes, towels, bed linens, etc. that were in contact with the rash or body fluids can also spread the virus. Handle laundry carefully as there have been reports of variola virus (a virus from the same family as mpox from infected fabric and bedding getting into the air. This creates an infection risk. Never shake or handle the linens roughly, as this may contaminate the air, surfaces, and others with infectious particles. Surfaces and other commonly touched items can also be contaminated.

More information on how Mpox spreads: https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/causes/index.html 

Close contact can include things such as prolonged face-to-face conversation where you may have been near respiratory droplets, kissing, hugging, skin-to-skin contact (touching, massaging, sitting next to each other with unclothed arms or legs touching, intimate contact, sexual activity, etc.). Casual contact is spending time with a person that does not involve any close contact. This can be many things such as passing people in a store, taking a walk with a friend, working in the same office, a parent walking into a classroom, etc.

A person with mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. As of February 2023, new data show that some people can spread mpox to others from one to four days before their symptoms appear. It's not clear how many people this has affected during the current outbreak. There is currently no evidence showing that people who never develop symptoms have spread the virus to someone else.

While the mpox virus has been found in semen, it is currently not known whether mpox can be spread through semen or vaginal fluids. Even though it is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, mpox can spread during intimate physical contact between people. This close contact can happen when you have sex including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex
• Touching the genitals or anus of a person with mpox
• Hugging, massaging, kissing, or talking closely
• Touching fabrics, shared surfaces, and objects, such as bedding, towels and sex toys, that were used by a person with mpox

Anyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation can catch mpox if they have close contact with someone infected with the virus.

See a health care provider if you have a new rash or other mpox symptoms. Avoid close contact (including intimate contact) with others until a health care provider sees you for an exam. If you think that there is a possibility that you may have mpox, wear a mask when in prolonged, close proximity with others. Avoid close contact, including sexual or intimate contact, with anyone until you have been seen by a health care provider. Rashes on the body should be covered with long sleeves or pants to avoid touching other people.

Avoid close contact with pets or other animals until you have seen a health care provider. If you are waiting for test results, follow the same steps. If your test is positive, stay isolated from others until your rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. If you must leave the room you are isolating in, be sure to wear a mask and wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible (long sleeves, pants, etc.)

Although commercial testing is available, specimens must be collected by a health care provider and sent to the lab. LabCorp, Quest and other labs that are doing testing will not take self-referred walk-ins for mpox testing. Patients should check with their healthcare provider to find out what testing costs they may be responsible for. Mpox testing at the NJDOH is available at no-cost, but there may be costs associated with the visit to a healthcare provider. Patients can seek low-cost medical care at one of several Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers located around the state.

If you are diagnosed with mpox, or an orthopox virus, avoid others (isolate) until your rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This includes:

• Avoiding sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.
• Avoiding being in crowds
• Avoiding contact with animals including pets, domestic animals, and wildlife.

Additional precautions should be taken, including:

• Rashes on the body should be covered with long sleeves or pants to avoid touching other people.
• If rashes can’t be easily covered, stay away from other people and pets as much as possible.
• Wash your hands often with soap and Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Wash surfaces and materials that you have touched while you had symptoms, including bedding, towels, clothing, sex toys, and surfaces such as door handles or counters. Standard household cleaning and disinfecting products may be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Under some circumstances, if you have mpox, you may have to leave isolation before you have fully healed. If so, you should cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask to protect others from getting mpox. It is very important to isolate if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, including sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough. When experiencing these symptoms, you should leave isolation only to see a healthcare provider or for an emergency.

For more details see CDC’s "What to Do if You are Sick page: https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/caring/index.html

No. It is important to avoid contact with unaffected individuals until the rash has resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. Friends, family or others without an essential need to be in the home should not visit.

• Isolate in a room or area separate from other household members and pets when possible.
• Limit use of spaces, items, and food that are shared with other household members.
• Do not share dishes and other eating It is not necessary for the infected person to use separate utensils if properly washed. Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap.

Employees with mpox should not be at the worksite. They should follow isolation recommendations until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed. If you must leave isolation, you should cover the rash and wear a well-fitting mask to protect others from getting mpox.

There are no treatments specifically for mpox. But, since mpox and smallpox are from the same virus family, certain drugs and vaccines created for smallpox may be used to treat and prevent mpox infections. An antiviral drug called tecovirimat (TPOXX), may be recommended for people who are more likely to get severely sick, like people with weak immune systems.

NJDOH receives TPOXX from the federal government and provides it at no cost to healthcare providers for their patients. There may be other costs, however, associated with medical care. Patients should ask their healthcare provider about healthcare costs they will be responsible for and/or may also seek low-cost medical care at one of several Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC) located around the state.

For more information about treatment, visit the CDC mpox treatment page.

Close contacts of a person with mpox should self-monitor for the development of any symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure and should avoid close physical contact with young children, pregnant people, and those with weak immune systems. They do not have to quarantine at home for that time. However, if symptoms develop, they should immediately isolate themselves and call their doctor. Vaccination within 4 days of an exposure may prevent the disease, and between 4 and 14 days may lessen the illness. If someone is in the period when vaccine may help, they should call their local health department or doctor for information on how to receive the vaccine.

Employees who had close contact with someone who has mpox can continue to work as long as they have no symptoms. They should consult with their local health department and/or healthcare provider and should monitor themselves closely for mpox symptoms for the 21-day incubation period. The local health department will provide information on their level of exposure risk and whether vaccine should be considered.

People are only infectious once symptoms begin, so being with someone with no symptoms who was in direct contact with someone else who had mpox would not be considered a mpox exposure risk.

Yes, children and adolescents can get mpox. It is not known if children are more likely than adults to get mpox if exposed to the virus. The virus spreads to children in the same ways that it spreads among adults, through contact with the rash, respiratory droplets, and by touching contaminated objects, towels, clothing, bedding, etc. Data on serious complications in children is lacking and the CDC continues to monitor for this information and will provide updates as the information becomes available.

• Check your child’s skin for any signs of rash, which may look like a single round lesion resembling a pimple or blister (be sure to look inside the mouth, as the rash can sometimes appear there before it appears on other parts of the body).
• Monitor your child’s temperature or signs of fever (like a flushed appearance or shivering).
• Monitor for any complaints of headache, backache, muscle pain or swollen glands (swelling/lumps around the neck, ear, armpit, or groin area).
• For infants and younger children, monitor for any changes in behavior or appearance (like sleepiness, decreased playfulness or appetite, increased crankiness, or fussiness).

If your child was exposed, parents should monitor their child for symptoms for 21 days and should consult with a health care provider or local health department. Your health care provider or local health department will evaluate appropriate next steps based on the child’s risk level.

If your child develops any of the above symptoms, notify your health care provider and immediately separate them from others in your home. Your health care provider will decide whether testing is needed. Children should not attend childcare, summer camp, school, birthday parties, or any other activities until they receive a negative test, or until their illness has run its full course if they tested positive.

Yes, there is a vaccine to prevent mpox infection in children. The CDC has guidance for health care providers about how to identify, treat and prevent mpox in children.

Yes, children can take TPOXX. It is an FDA-approved antiviral approved for the treatment of smallpox disease in children and adults. However, its use for the treatment of other orthopox viruses such as mpox, is not FDA-approved. The CDC holds a non-research expanded access Investigational New Drug (EA-IND) protocol that allows for the use of TPOXX for the treatment of mpox.

If your child is diagnosed with mpox, they should not attend childcare/school/summer camp until all scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed. If your child is a close contact of someone with mpox but does not have symptoms, parents should carefully monitor their child for symptoms for 21 days, but the child may continue to attend childcare/school/summer camp. Discuss vaccination with your child’s healthcare provider. Vaccine is most effective in preventing mpox if given within 4 days of exposure.

Those at higher risk of exposure or severe health outcomes should consider reducing their number of sexual partners and limiting sex with new partners and should exchange contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed.

Talk to your partner about any recent illness and be aware of any new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including the genitals and anus. If you or your partner have recently been sick, are currently feeling sick, or have a new or an unexplained rash or sores, do not have sex and see a health care provider. This is always a good plan, even if mpox isn’t in your area.

If you or a partner has mpox, the best way to protect yourself and others is to not have sex of any kind (oral, anal, vaginal) and to not kiss or touch each other’s bodies while you are sick, especially any rash or sores. Do not share items such as towels, fetish gear, sex toys, and toothbrushes.

It is not known whether condoms prevent the transmission of mpox. If rashes are confined to the genitals or anus, condoms may help. Not all mpox rashes occur in areas that a condom can cover. The virus can also spread by respiratory droplets. Even when used, direct skin-to-skin contact with infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids not covered by a condom, and face-to-face contact can still occur. Therefore, condoms alone are probably not enough to prevent mpox. Condom use for prevention of mpox has not been studied.

When thinking about attending events, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the event you plan to attend. If you feel sick or have any rashes or sores, do not attend any gathering, and see a health care provider.

Safer gatherings include festivals, events, and concerts where people are fully clothed, and unlikely to share skin-to-skin contact. But keep in mind that close personal contact such as kissing can also spread mpox.

A rave, party, or club where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, frequent skin-to- skin contact has some risk. Avoid any rashes or sores you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to- skin contact when possible.

Enclosed spaces, such as back rooms, saunas, or sex clubs, where there is minimal or no clothing and where intimate sexual contact can occur, have a higher likelihood of spreading mpox.

Limiting your number of sex partners may reduce the possibility of exposure.

Scientists are still learning about the ability of the mpox virus to spread through body fluids such as semen or vaginal secretions and whether the virus can still be present after the skin rash has healed. Safe sex, barrier practices (i.e. wearing condoms) are recommended, but there is little data on the length of time patients need to wear condoms. Some other countries are recommending 8-12 weeks after the skin rash has healed, but more needs to be learned. As public health experts learn more about the spread of mpox this guidance will be updated. https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html 

Most people with mpox do not need to be in a hospital and can recover at home. People with mpox should isolate away from others in the home until their rash has fully healed, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.

People with mpox should follow these recommendations until cleared by state or local public health officials:

• Do not leave the home except as required for emergencies or follow-up medical care.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Do not engage in sexual activity that involves direct physical contact.
• Do not share potentially contaminated items, such as bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths, drinking glasses or eating utensils.
• Washing hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand rub that's at least 60% alcohol, should be done frequently by people infected with mpox and their household contacts after touching rash fluid/blisters/crusts/scabs, clothing, linens, or frequently-touched surfaces/objects that may have had contact with rash material.
• Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items, such as counters or light switches, using an EPA-registered disinfectant (such as List Q) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wear well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask) when in close contact with others at home. Caregivers should also wear an N95, also known as a respirator, or medical mask when they are within 6 feet of the person who is infected with mpox for more than a brief encounter.
• Avoid use of contact lenses to prevent spreading the infection to the eyes.
• Avoid shaving rash-covered areas of the body as this can lead to spread of the virus.

Bathroom Usage:

• If possible, use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household.
• If there is not a separate bathroom in the home, the patient should clean and disinfect surfaces such as counters, toilet seats, and faucets, using an EPA-registered disinfectant (such as List Q) after using a shared This may include during activities like showering, using the toilet, or changing bandages that cover the rash. Consider disposable glove use while cleaning if rash is present on the hands.

Limit Contamination Within the Household:

• Try to avoid contaminating upholstered furniture and other porous materials that cannot be laundered by placing coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over these surfaces.
• Cover all skin rashes to the extent possible by wearing long sleeves or long Gloves can be considered for covering rash on the hands when not in isolation, such as when receiving medical care.
• Additional precautions such as steam cleaning can be considered if there is concern about contamination.
• When possible, the person with mpox should change their own bandages and handle contaminated linens while wearing disposable gloves, followed by immediate handwashing after removing gloves and washing their hands.
• As a last resort, if assistance is needed with these activities, a household member should avoid extensive contact and wear, at a minimum, disposable medical gloves, and a well- fitting mask or N95 respirator. Any clothing that contacts the rash during dressing changes should be immediately Gloves should be disposed of after use, followed by handwashing.

The CDC provides general guidance on cleaning and disinfecting non-healthcare settings, such as homes or cars, where an individual with mpox spent significant time. Visit CDC for more information on cleaning and disinfecting --> https://www.cdc.gov/mpox/caring/cleaning-and-disinfecting.html 

CDC recommends that you do not travel if you have mpox. Isolate at home, or in another location, until your symptoms are gone and your rash has healed (this means all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed). If you have mpox and must travel:

• Make sure that you do not have fever or respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.
• Cover your rash and wear a well-fitting mask.

Yes. JYNNEOS^TM (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) is licensed to prevent mpox and ACAM2000, originally licensed to prevent smallpox, can also be used to prevent mpox. CDC believes that making vaccines available now is one important strategy to contain mpox. CDC is working with partners to ensure there are enough doses available to vaccinate all people for whom vaccination is recommended. JYNNEOS, which has fewer side effects, is specifically licensed to prevent mpox, and is easier to administer, is generally preferred. Depending on the supply of JYNNEOS available at the time and patient preferences, the vaccine can be administered intradermally or subcutaneously.

JYNNEOS vaccine is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days (4 weeks) apart. The standard regimen involves a subcutaneous (Subcut) route of administration with an injection volume of 0.5mL. The standard regimen is the FDA-approved dosing regimen. Since August 9, 2022, the standard regimen has been authorized for people aged <18 years under an Emergency Use Authorization. In the context of the current national Public Health Emergency (PHE), an alternative regimen may be used for people age ≥18 years under an Emergency Use Authorization beginning August 9, 2022. The authorized alternative regimen involves an intradermal (ID) route of administration with an injection volume of 0.1mL. This approach could increase the number of available JYNNEOS vaccine doses by up to five-fold.

People who have a known or suspected exposure: The mpox vaccine can be given within 4-14 days of an mpox exposure, before symptoms develop.

• Contact your local health department if you are a:
• Person who had a known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox in the past two weeks  
• Person who had a sex partner in the past two weeks who was diagnosed with mpox 

People at higher risk of exposure to mpox: Get vaccinated to reduce your chance of getting mpox or getting very sick.

• People who are gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, or a transgender, non-binary, or gender-diverse person who in the past 6 months has had any of the following: 

• A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) 
• More than one sex partner, or anonymous sexual or intimate contact 
• Sex at a commercial sex venue 
• Sex related to a large commercial or public event in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring 
• People who have a sex partner with any of the above risks 
• People who anticipate experiencing any of the above risks 
• People who work in settings where they may be exposed to mpox* (Consult with your local health department)
• People who work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory 

⁺People who have allergies to the vaccine ingredients or to chicken or egg protein should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss if they should get the vaccine. 

⁺People who have previously been diagnosed with mpox are not currently recommended to be vaccinated, as mpox infection likely confers immune protection. 

⁺People at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses include research laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses, clinical laboratory personnel performing diagnostic testing for orthopoxviruses, and orthopoxvirus and health care worker response teams designated by appropriate public health and antiterror authorities. (see ACIP recommendations) 

Information on vaccine locations can be found at https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml.

Information on vaccine appointments through the expanded PEP program is available through community partners throughout the state. For the most up-to-date list of vaccination locations, please visit the NJDOH mpox webpage: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/monkeypox.shtml

At this moment, mpox vaccines are only available to those in the groups specified above. The risk of getting sick with mpox is currently low for the general public; therefore, vaccination is not recommended for the general public at this time.

NJDOH receives mpox vaccines from the federal government and they are provided at no cost to eligible individuals. Organizations must administer JYNNEOS or ACAM2000 vaccine at no cost to the recipient and regardless of the vaccine recipient's ability to pay administration fees. Organizations may seek appropriate fees for the vaccine recipient, such as:

• Vaccine recipient's private insurance company
• Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement

If given within the first four days after exposure, the vaccine may prevent illness. Given between days 4 and 14, the vaccine may still reduce the severity of illness. If given later than that, it would not be expected to have any effect. Therefore, when used to prevent infection following exposure, the vaccine must be given within 14 days. The vaccine is not given to people who have mpox to reduce their symptoms.

People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Fully vaccinated people are still recommended to protect themselves against mpox and to isolate at home in case of symptoms.

There may be times when a person is due for their second dose of JYNNEOS and may not be available on the day they are due. The second dose should be given 28 days after the first dose, however It may be given as soon as 24 days or as late as 35 days. If there is a delay in administering the second dose and the interval becomes longer than 35 days, the second dose should be administered as soon as possible. There is no need to restart the series.

You may experience some normal, mild reactions to the mpox vaccine that usually go away without treatment:

• Your arm where you received the vaccination may be sore and red.
• The glands (lymph nodes) in your armpits may become large and score.
• You may run a slight fever.
• You might feel bad enough to miss work, school, or recreational activity or have trouble This happens to about 1 out of every 3 people who get the vaccine.

Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss whether JYNNEOS is right for you. More detailed information about serious vaccine side effects can be found on the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/vaccine-basics/vaccination-effects.html

People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of JYNNEOS vaccine or a component in the vaccine (e.g., gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, egg protein) should speak with their health care provider to confirm if it is safe for them to receive the vaccine.

• Have any severe, life-threatening allergies
• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Have a weakened immune system

Previous smallpox vaccination does provide protection, but it may not be lifelong. During the 2003 mpox outbreak and during the current outbreak, several people who were infected with mpox had previously been vaccinated against smallpox decades prior. During this mpox outbreak response, vaccines and other medical measures should be given to eligible people who were previously vaccinated against smallpox, following the same schedules as for those who were not previously vaccinated.

If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

Serious side effects should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html or call 1-800-822-7967. NOTE: VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

You can read information about these vaccines at the links below:

• JYNNEOS
• Medication Guide for ACAM2000

No, vaccines for chickenpox and shingles do not help prevent mpox.

The federal government is allotting JYNNEOS vaccine doses to States based on current cases as well as the proportion of the population at risk for severe disease from mpox.

People with mpox should avoid contact with animals (specifically mammals), including pets. On August 10, 2022, human-to-animal transmission of mpox was reported, the first ever, when the virus was passed to a dog that had close contact with two people with mpox. 

• If possible, friends or family members should care for healthy animals until the owner has fully recovered.
• Keep any potentially infectious bandages, textiles (such as clothes, bedding) and other items away from pets, other domestic animals, and wildlife.
• In general, any mammal may become infected with It is not thought that other animals such as reptiles, fish or birds can be infected.

If you notice an animal that had contact with an infected person appears sick (such as lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, bloating, nasal or eye secretions or crust, fever, rash) contact the owner’s veterinarian, state public health veterinarian, or state animal health official. For more detailed information visit the CDC’s Pets in the Home.

The NJ Department of Health is working closely with federal, state, and local public health and health care partners to identify possible cases, begin contact tracing quickly, and provide vaccine and/or antiviral treatment as needed to cases and their contacts. NJDOH is also providing guidance to health care providers to help them identify possible cases and get a proper diagnosis.

Disinformation alert from the NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness: Disinformation Hampers Efforts to Curb Spread of mpox (njohsp.gov)

Rights and Protections against discrimination and bias-related harassment from the NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division on Civil Rights: Mpox Resources - New Jersey Office of Attorney General (njoag.gov)