Mpox Virus
NMDOH has updated all of our materials with the term "mpox" to reduce stigma associated with prior terminology. This revision is aligned with recent changes by the World Health Organization here: World Health Organization Mpox proclamation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mpox proclamation
Statistics and Reports
NOTE: Mpox reports will no longer be regularly published. Mpox reports will be published only if a new case is identified in New Mexico.
- NM Mpox Monthly Report - 04/20/2023
- NM Mpox Monthly Report - 03/23/2023
- NM Mpox Biweekly Report - 02/23/2023
- NM Mpox Biweekly Report - 02/09/2023
Older state data can be found here. In addition, you can find the status report from CDC here, including current case counts by state: CDC - U.S. Mpox Outbreak 2022 Situation Summary
Overview
Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. It was first discovered in 1958 when there were two outbreaks of a pox-like disease in colonies of monkeys kept for research. The first human case was in 1970. Prior to 2022, nearly all U.S. cases were related to international travel. The term "monkeypox" is being phased out, as it isn't accurate and can cause stigma for persons impacted by this virus.
Please refer to the CDC - Mpox 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count for current New Mexico and national case counts.
Mpox Vaccine in New Mexico
CDC has approved the JYNNEOS vaccine for the prevention of Mpox. New Mexico has a supply of vaccine in each region of the state.
There are enough doses for persons who may be at risk for Mpox.
The Department of Health is no longer offering self-registration or self-scheduling via the web. If you want to schedule your first dose - or finish the series by getting your second dose - please call one of these locations to make an appointment.
If you have other questions, you can reach the Call Center at 855-600-3453, option 4
Mpox resources and vaccine at Indian Health Service (IHS)”MPV Phone List
Vaccine for Contacts of a Mpox Case
Anyone who was a contact in the past 14 days to either someone who has been diagnosed with Mpox infection or someone who has not received test results back yet but has been told by their provider it is most likely a Mpox infection. This includes household contacts.
Preventive Doses of Vaccine for Persons at Risk
Preventive doses are available for persons at risk who do not have symptoms of Mpox infection. Risk is based on the profile of cases, both in New Mexico and across the United States. At this time, this includes:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people who in the past year have had one or more sex partner
- Persons of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex
- Sexual partners of people with the above risks
- Persons living with HIV, especially persons with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease
- People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
- Persons who had skin-to-skin or intimate contact with someone with suspected or confirmed Mpox, including those who have not yet been confirmed by Public Health
Persons who believe they are at risk and do not fall into the group above can reach out to the call center (1-855-600-3453) for a confidential consultation. Eligibility will expand as more vaccine becomes available.
News
- Op-Ed-Monkeypox: What is it? Am I at risk? Who should get vaccinated? How can we stop the spread?
- Department of Health reports probable monkeypox case in state
Infographics
Signs and Symptoms
Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus. Mpox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and Mpox is rarely fatal. Mpox is not related to chickenpox. Symptoms of Mpox can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus.
The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
Mpox can look like a lot of other diseases, such as syphilis. You can find free syphilis and other STD testing here: HIV Hepatitis STD Online Resource Guide
What Do I Do If I Think I Might Have Been Exposed
You should seek medical guidance from your health care provider if you:
- Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like Mpox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable Mpox
- Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing Mpox activity, sexually active individuals who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)
- Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of Mpox or where Mpox activity has been ongoing
- Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)
You can learn more on this page from the CDC: CDC - Mpox Signs & Symptoms
What should a person do if they have a new or unexplained rash, sores, or other symptoms?
- Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider. If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
- When you see a healthcare provider, remind them that this virus is circulating in the area.
- Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.
- Do not share items that could come in contact with the rash or lesions (e.g., bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths). Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils.
- Think about the people you have had close, personal, or sexual contact within the last 21 days, including people you met through dating apps. You might be asked to share this information if you have received a Mpox diagnosis, to help stop the spread.
Information For Health Care Professionals
CDC has information for health care professionals, including the case definition and clinical guidance. See information here: CDC - Mpox Information for Healthcare Professionals
- If clinicians identify patients with a rash that could be consistent with MPOX, especially those who report close contact with a confirmed or suspected MPOX case in the previous 21 days, MPOX should be considered as a possible diagnosis.
- Report any confirmed case to the Department of Health 24/7/365 at 505-827-0006
- It is important to comprehensively evaluate patients presenting with genital or perianal ulcers for STIs. However, co-infections with MPOX and STIs have been reported and the presence of an STI does not rule out MPOX
- Testing for MPOX is available through TriCore Reference Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp and the state scientific laboratory (SLD). Please refer to your diagnostic laboratory's webpage for specimen collection and submission guidance. Specimens must be appropriately collected, stored, and submitted by the healthcare provider; patients cannot have specimens collected at laboratory service centers.
TriCore testing guidance:https://tricore.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#40000000N3ML/a/4y000000Q6EW/cM85oF0Za2q6JnJmw5CmGhsXVQWvE5xj6L1TdnU4CUY
Quest testing guidance:https://www.questdiagnostics.com/healthcare-professionals/about-our-tests/infectious-diseases/monkeypox
Labcorp testing guidance:https://www.labcorp.com/infectious-disease/monkeypox
For submission of specimens to SLD please refer to the HAN dated 7/8/2022 linked below
Specific directions are in these Health Action Alerts:
- Mpox Virus Infection in the United States and Other Non-endemic Countries - 07/08/2022
- Mpox Virus Infection in the United States and Other Non-endemic Countries - 05/26/2022
Infographics
