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.

Kentucky

Mpox in Kentucky

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.

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What is 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.

Symptoms

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)

Transmission

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

Contagious Period: From symptom onset until rash fully healed (2-4 weeks)

Prevention

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

Kentucky Health Resources

Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance

We're Monitoring Kentucky

Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Mpox activity across Kentucky. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.

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Kentucky Health Department

For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Kentucky, visit your state health department's website.

→ Kentucky Department of Health → CDC Mpox Information → CDC Health Topics

Understanding Mpox: Key Questions

Whether you live in Kentucky or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.

When to Seek Care

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.

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

Expert Resources & References

Trusted information from leading health organizations

CDC

Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

View CDC Resources →

WHO

Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization

View WHO Resources →

Research

Latest peer-reviewed research and clinical studies

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Medically Reviewed Content

Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01

Recent Mpox Reports

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

West African country reports 46 suspected cases in outbreak declared in July, amid fears virus may be spreading undetected More than half of the mpox cases reported in Guinea-Bissau have been among children, local authorities have said, almost two months since the country announ…

Guinea-Bissau · 2026-08-28

(WPRI) -- Health experts are warning of an uptick in mpox cases after a local clinic repoted seeing at least six cases in the past several weeks. Dr. Philip Chan, a physician and the chief medical officer at the Rhode Island Public Health Institute and Open Door Health, said the…

Guinea-Bissau · 2026-08-22

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

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

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

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

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

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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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mpox answered by our epidemiology team

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