How does mpox spread?

Mpox spreads through close, sustained physical contact with someone who has mpox, including intimate or sexual contact, hugging, kissing, or touching mpox lesions. It can also spread through respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact, touching contaminated materials (bedding, towels, clothing), and rarely from pregnant person to fetus.

What does the mpox rash look like?

Mpox rash progresses through stages: flat spots → raised bumps → fluid-filled blisters → pus-filled blisters → scabs. Lesions can be painful and may look like pimples, blisters, or syphilis sores. The 2022 outbreak often showed lesions concentrated on genital/anal areas, mouth, throat, or hands/feet. Rash lasts 2-4 weeks.

Who is at highest risk for mpox?

Higher risk groups include: men who have sex with men (especially those with multiple partners), people with HIV (particularly if CD4 count is low), people who've had close contact with someone with mpox, sex workers, and healthcare workers treating mpox patients without proper PPE.

Is there a vaccine for mpox?

Yes, the JYNNEOS vaccine is FDA-approved for mpox prevention. It's given as 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. The vaccine is recommended for people at high risk of exposure and can be given after known exposure to prevent or reduce severity.

Most people recover without specific treatment with supportive care. For severe cases or immunocompromised people, the antiviral tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be used. Isolation is required until all lesions have healed and new skin has formed (typically 2-4 weeks).

Where are mpox cases occurring now?

After the 2022 global outbreak peak, cases have significantly declined but continue worldwide. The virus remains endemic in parts of Africa where it regularly infects humans through contact with infected animals. Check the live outbreak data above for current mpox activity.

California

Mpox in California

Mpox (formerly called monkeypox) is a viral disease that causes a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and flu-like symptoms. While endemic in Central and West Africa, it spread globally in 2022, prompting a public health emergency declaration.

Track Mpox activity in California in real time.

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¿Qué es Mpox?

Mpox is caused by the mpox virus, related to the smallpox virus but generally less severe. The 2022-2023 global outbreak primarily affected men who have sex with men, though anyone can get mpox through close contact. A vaccine (JYNNEOS) is available for high-risk individuals.

Síntomas

Painful rash with fluid-filled blisters
Swollen lymph nodes
Fever and chills
Headache and muscle aches
Back pain
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms
Rectal pain (if lesions present)

Transmisión

Spreads through direct contact with mpox rash, scabs, or body fluids; respiratory secretions during prolonged close contact; contaminated items; sexual/intimate contact

Período de Contagio: From symptom onset until rash fully healed (2-4 weeks)

Prevención

JYNNEOS vaccine for high-risk individuals
Avoid close contact with infected people
Practice safer sex during outbreaks
Don't share bedding, towels, or clothing
Frequent handwashing
PPE when caring for infected individuals
Isolate if infected until fully healed

California Recursos de Salud

Información del departamento de salud local y orientación de prevención específica del estado

Estamos Monitoreando California

Nuestra vigilancia impulsada por IA monitorea continuamente la actividad de Mpox en todo California. Rastreamos datos de departamentos de salud estatales, hospitales locales, informes del CDC y más de 50 fuentes de salud globales para proporcionar advertencia temprana de amenazas emergentes.

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California Departamento de Salud

Para alertas oficiales de salud del estado, ubicaciones de vacunación y orientación de salud pública específica de California, visite el sitio web del departamento de salud de su estado.

→ California Departamento de Salud → CDC Mpox Information → CDC Health Topics

Understanding Mpox: Key Questions

Ya sea que viva en California or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.

Cuándo Buscar Atención Médica

Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.

Síntomas de emergencia: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.

Recursos Expertos y Referencias

Información confiable de las principales organizaciones de salud

CDC

Orientación oficial de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de EE. UU.

Ver Recursos del CDC →

WHO

Vigilancia global de enfermedades y directrices de la Organización Mundial de la Salud

Ver Recursos de la OMS →

Investigación

Últimas investigaciones revisadas por pares y estudios clínicos

Ver Investigación →

Contenido Revisado Médicamente

La información sobre enfermedades en Virus Watcher es revisada por nuestro Epidemiólogo Jefe, ex analista principal del CDC para el pronóstico FluSight. Los datos de brotes se agregan de fuentes verificadas incluyendo BEACON, ProMED, OMS, CDC y más de 50 agencias nacionales de salud. Esta información es con fines educativos y no debe reemplazar el asesoramiento médico profesional.

Última revisión: 2026-08-13

Recent Mpox Reports

No confirmed cases reported in California yet. Here are the latest Mpox reports from our global surveillance network.

Wisconsin health officials are urging people at higher risk to consider vaccinations and watch for symptoms. (FOX 9) - Health officials are urging Wisconsin residents to stay alert after the first mpox cases of 2026 were confirmed in southeastern and northern regions of the stat…

United States Minor Outlying Islands · Baker Island · 2026-05-29

This event envelope contains reports on mpox in Sudan. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=8786aa77-3fcb-4dd9-a0c8-cf12071b8a3e)

Sudan · 2026-05-21

Angola is experiencing a nascent but expanding mpox outbreak concentrated in the DRC-bordering provinces of Cabinda and Uíge, with 13 confirmed cases representing the country's entire known disease history since its first detection in late 2024. The emergence of cases without tra…

Angola · 2026-05-30

This event envelope contains reports on mpox in Hong Kong. *Source: BEACON* - [View Full Report](https://beaconbio.org/en/event/?eventid=e60767c2-04df-4179-aae7-b02e1d390b6e)

Hong Kong · 2026-05-26

The Department of Health has launched a new mpox awareness campaign to encourage sexually active people to understand their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their partners. Running from July to September 2026, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the risk of mp…

Australia · 2026-07-06

The Benue State Government has commenced investigations into a suspected case of Mpox reported in Konshisha Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this on Saturday while responding to reports of a suspected …

Nigeria · 00 · 2026-07-26

Two scientists with a U.S. government lab were charged with smuggling vials of a deactivated version of a deadly virus into the country from Africa on a "packed" Delta Air Lines flight, federal prosecutors said. Vincent Munster, 53, and Claude Kwe, 38, both researchers with the …

United States Minor Outlying Islands · Baker Island · 2026-06-05

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google. The cases of monkeypox (mpox) in the country are 79% lower in 2026 compared to the previous year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday amid reports of local detections. In a statement, DOH …

Philippines · 00 · 2026-07-01

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Preguntas Frecuentes

Preguntas frecuentes sobre Mpox respondidas por nuestro equipo de epidemiología

Enfermedades Relacionadas

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Obtenga Mpox Alertas para California

Reciba notificaciones instantáneas cuando la actividad de Mpox aumenta en California o sus destinos de viaje. Rastree más de 200 enfermedades con alertas basadas en ubicación. Utilizado por sistemas de salud, servicios de emergencias médicas, escuelas y viajeros de todo el mundo.