The latest mpox outbreak and its threat to vision

Monkeypox virus (mpoxv) has re-emerged, designated on August 14 as a global emergency by the World Health Organization. Newly evolved strains of mpox viruses can efficiently spread among people. In addition to skin rashes, mpox infection can cause eye complications including inflammation of the clear tissue covering the iris and pupil called the cornea (keratitis), the tissue covering the white of the eye and the underside of the eyelid (conjunctivitis, or pink eye), and the eyelid (blepharitis).

Mpox continues to circulate at low numbers among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men

Mpox continues to circulate in the U.S. among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. Though the number fell sharply to only 3 cases during the June through December 2023 multisite surveillance period compared to the previous highs, concern for its reemergence continues due to, among other things, incomplete knowledge among other groups.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Advocate Health and Vysnova Partners Awarded $3.4 Million Contract by CDC to Lead Large-Scale Sexually Transmitted Infection Research Project

Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Advocate Health and Vysnova Partners have been awarded a $3.4 million, four-year contract to study HIV, Mpox and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Reductions in sexual mixing ended mpox outbreak in England, while vaccination has prevented resurgences in 2023

The rapid outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in 2022 likely resulted from high levels of sexual mixing among some gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), with the initial downturn in cases probably due to a reduction in sexual contacts among these men.

Researchers describe case of tecovirimat-resistant mpox variant in patient with prolonged infection

Authors from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat, Antwerp, Belgium describe a case of tecovirimat-resistant mpox virus (MPXV) identified at the autopsy of a severely immunocompromised patient with prolonged disease. Tecovirimat, an antiviral used to treat severe mpox virus, has a low barrier to resistance, which makes this case particularly unusual. The case report is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Mpox modeling suggests timely detection, isolation could prevent significant spread on college campuses

A model of mpox transmission among students living on a college campus suggests that sustained transmission could be significantly reduced with timely detection and isolation on its own. The model also showed that preventative vaccination of the high-risk population could help limit the size and scope of outbreaks. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

What You Should Know About Mpox

Find out what special pathogens expert Erika Cheung, MSN, RN, CPN, has to say about the disease, which the WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Since May 18, 2022, cases of mpox have been spreading in the United States, including California. On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.