The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Monday that a “concerning increase” in mpox, or monkeypox, cases has been reported over the past two weeks.
Officials say 10 new cases have been reported, which is a troubling jump from the national average of less than two cases per week in recent months.
Mpox is mainly spread through close contact with bodily fluids, sores, shared bedding or clothing, or respiratory droplets from kissing, coughing, or sneezing.
Symptoms may include rashes or sores that resemble pimples or blisters on the face, body, and genitals. They are usually accompanied by fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, or swollen lymph nodes.
Health officials say early detection, testing and vaccination are critical to controlling the spread of the disease.
Due to the recent spike in cases, public health officials strongly encourage anyone with symptoms consistent with the disease to seek medical care and get tested.
To help reduce the risk of getting and spreading MPox, officials say individuals should try to limit the number of sexual partners they have and avoid having sex or intimate contact with others who have new or unexplained rashes or sores until they have a see healthcare facility. provider.
They say condoms, gloves and hand washing can help prevent the spread of the disease. They warned against sharing towels, clothes, bedding, sex toys, fetish gear and toothbrushes.
Additionally, vaccination is an important tool to help prevent spread, health officials continued. They suggest that those who identify with some subgroups get vaccinated. These groups include men or transgender people who have sex with men or transgender people, people who have sex or intimate contact with people at a large public event, people who engage in commercial or transactional sex, people with HIV.
More information about mpox and the department’s mobile vaccination and sexual health clinic scan can be found on the Department of Public Health website.
