LA Faces 'Concerning Increase' In Mpox Cases, Health Officials Warn

LOS ANGELES, CA — County Health officials are warning of a "concerning increase" in cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday said there were six new mpox cases in the county in the past week. That's up from an average of just one per week over the past month.

Mpox is mainly spread through bodily fluids, sores, shared bedding or respiratory droplets (from kissing, coughing or sneezing). Symptoms include rash and sores that look like pimples or blisters that can appear on the face, body and genitals. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and lymph-node swelling, according to health officials.

Anyone with symptoms is urged to get tested.

The mpox vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of severe illness and limit transmission. It's available to anyone and health officials urge people in high risk groups to get the two-series vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That includes men or transgender people who have sex with men or transgender people, those who engage in group or transactional sex, people living with HIV and sexual partners of any of those groups.

Those who have previously been vaccinated do not need another shot, according to the health department.

The recent rise in cases comes after cases peaked in summer 2022. The highest number of daily cases, 58, was reported on August 1. The total number of cases to date in the county total 2,463. Two people have died, according to county health figures.

Health officials grappled with a vaccine shortage last year as the county spearheaded an effort to get people vaccinated. Thousands were vaccinated, waiting in hours-long lines to get shots.