Mpox Is Still Spreading in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mpox is continuing to spread across the United States at low levels, raising concerns among public health officials that the virus may be becoming endemic following the large global outbreak that began in 2022.

Mpox cases in the United States dropped sharply after reaching approximately 30,000 cases during the initial 2022 outbreak, but the virus never completely disappeared from the country. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is no longer primarily driven by international travelers bringing cases into the country. Instead, ongoing transmission is happening domestically from person to person.

Understanding Mpox Symptoms and Transmission

Mpox is caused by a virus and typically leads to flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion. Infected individuals also develop a rash characterized by fluid-filled sores on the face or body. Because these sores frequently appear on the genitals, they can easily be mistaken for common sexually transmitted infections like herpes or syphilis.

The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person, including touching their sores or inhaling respiratory droplets during intimate interactions such as sex, kissing, or cuddling. According to public health data, the virus can also spread by touching contaminated items like bedding and towels used by someone with an active infection. While anyone can contract mpox, the vast majority of cases in the United States during and since the 2022 outbreak have occurred among men who have sex with men.

Vaccination Rates and Hospitalization Risks

Most individuals who contract mpox recover on their own within a few weeks without medical intervention, though severe infections can require hospitalization. To mitigate serious illness, the CDC recommends a two-dose regimen of the JYNNEOS vaccine for individuals at higher risk of exposure, including certain men who have sex with men and travelers visiting regions experiencing active outbreaks.

Data from researchers show that 76% of people diagnosed with mpox in the United States across 2024 and 2025 had not received the vaccine. Furthermore, unvaccinated individuals were nearly 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with the virus compared to those who received both doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Although the widespread outbreak that dominated headlines in 2022 has concluded, health authorities emphasize that the virus remains in circulation. If mpox transitions into an endemic disease, continued public awareness, diagnostic testing, and vaccination will remain essential public health tools to manage case numbers and prevent severe disease.