Despite the fact that a week ago the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Mpox epidemic (previously known as monkeypox) was no longer a global health emergency, a year after warning about its spread, the health authorities of the United States launched a new alert about its possible resurgence.

The warning was made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when pointing out that cases could arise with the arrival of summer in that country. 

“The spring and summer season in 2023 could lead to a resurgence of monkeypox as people gather for festivals and other events,” according to an update via its Health Alert Network.

The agency indicated that together with the Chicago health authorities, a group of monkeypox cases is being investigated, after emphasizing that “reports of cases that reflect ongoing community transmission both in the United States and internationally” continue to be received.

Monkeypox: cases were reduced by 90 percent, according to the WHO

The document detailed that between April 17 and May 5, 2023, 12 confirmed cases and one probable case of the virus were reported by the Chicago Department of Public Health, among men between the ages of 24 and 46.

He indicated that the people treated had symptoms, but none required hospitalization. What has drawn attention is that nine of the 13 people were men who had received both doses of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine.

Likewise, it was determined that four of the men had recently traveled to New York, New Orleans and Mexico. 

The alert also warned that although there may sometimes be cases of contagion among immunized people, vaccination can reduce the severity of the infection, which decreases the chances of hospitalization.

“The purpose of this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update is to inform physicians and public health agencies of the potential for new clusters or outbreaks of monkeypox cases and to provide resources on clinical evaluation, treatment, vaccination and tests”, he emphasized.

But not only Chicago is keeping a close watch, some cities and counties in the United States, such as San Francisco, are also asking citizens to go to vaccination posts to prevent the disease before the arrival of summer.

If you received your first dose of the monkeypox vaccine, even if it was in the fall, it’s not too late now is a good time to receive your second dose.

The global alert

The global alert for this virus was lifted because, according to the WHO, “it no longer represents a public health emergency of international scope,” according to its director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, after adding that he had followed the recommendation of the Emergency Committee Of the entity.

Although the alerts for Mpox and covid-19 ended, the threat of new waves remains for both. The two viruses continue to circulate and both continue to kill.

In May 2022, Mpox outbreaks began to be recorded in Europe and the United States, outside the dozen countries in Central and West Africa where the disease has been endemic for some time.

The WHO Director General declared a public health emergency of international scope on July 23, 2022.

Since then, the number of infections has decreased significantly. There have been “almost 90% fewer cases these three months, compared to the previous three months,” Tedros detailed.

In total, more than 87,000 cases have been registered, in 111 countries , and the disease has caused 140 deaths, according to the latest count.

Monkeypox: What to do if you are infected? Here we tell you

Travel-related infections also pose a risk, he stressed.

“Mpox continues to present significant public health challenges that need a robust, proactive and sustainable response,” he warned, urging countries to maintain vigilance and access to diagnostic tests and vaccines.

The disease is characterized by skin rashes that can appear on the genital organs or in the mouth. It can generate fever, pain in the throat or at the level of the lymph nodes.

It is transmitted through close contact with infected people or animals, as well as through objects contaminated by the patient such as clothing or bedding.

*With information from AFP.