On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries.
What is mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) and how is it transmitted?
- Mpox is a viral illness that generally causes mild symptoms, including a fever, headache, chills, fatigue, and a rash.
- Most people will not need special treatment; however, some may be at greater risk for severe disease and death due to preexisting conditions.
- The virus is known to be transmitted in the following ways: Direct skin-to-skin physical contact with people who are infected; exposure to respiratory secretions; touching/sharing items that have been in contact with bodily fluids of an infected person; contact with infected animals; and through maternal/fetal transmission during pregnancy. Additional modes of transmission may also be possible.
What is known about this current outbreak?
- It is distinctly different from the outbreak that occurred in 2022-23. This outbreak involves a different subtype of mpox and includes a different population affected than prior. Women and children now comprise a larger number of total infected individuals. During the past outbreak, men who have sex with men (MSM) and those in their sexual networks were most affected.
- The vast majority of cases are within the DRC. The virus has spread to Cameroon, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda. Isolated cases have been identified in Kenya, Mozambique, the Philippines, and Sweden. No cases with the new subtype have been reported in the United States.
What is the current risk to the Rensselaer community?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- The risk for the general population is VERY LOW.
- The risk to gay, bisexual, MSM who have more than one sexual partner, and people who have sex with MSM regardless of gender is LOW to MODERATE.
What can the Rensselaer community do to prevent an outbreak?
- Get vaccinated if you are at risk of mpox with the 2-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series (view eligibility criteria and vaccine locations).
- If you recently traveled to one of the countries where mpox is rapidly spreading and are sick with a rash and/or have had contact with someone with mpox, isolate and seek evaluation and testing immediately.
- We will continue to monitor the CDC risk designation and recommendations and update the community as more information becomes available.
Contact Student Health Services at (518) 276-6287 or email healthcenter@rpi.edu with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ariela Zamcheck, DO MPH
Associate Director of Student Health Services
