The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Monday that there has been a “concerning increase” in reported cases of monkeypox (MPOX) over the past two weeks.
Officials said 10 new cases were reported, a worrying increase from the countywide average of less than two cases per week in recent months.
Mpox spreads primarily through close contact with bodily fluids, wounds, shared bedding or clothing, and respiratory droplets from kissing, coughing or sneezing.
Symptoms may include a pimple-like rash or blister-like sores on the face, body, or genitals, usually accompanied by fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Health officials say early detection, testing and vaccination are crucial to curbing the spread of the disease.
Due to the recent surge in cases, public health officials strongly encourage anyone with symptoms consistent with the disease to see a doctor and get tested.
Officials say to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading MPOX, individuals should limit sexual contact to as few partners as possible and avoid sex and intimate contact with anyone who has a new or unexplained rash or sores until they have seen a healthcare professional.
Condoms, gloves and hand washing can help prevent the spread of the disease, they said, and warned against sharing towels, clothing, bedding, sex toys, fetish items and toothbrushes.
Furthermore, the health authorities continued, vaccination is an important tool to help prevent the spread of infection. They suggest that people in several subgroups be vaccinated. These groups include men or transgender men who have sex with men or transgender people, people who have sex or intimate contact with people at large public events, people who have commercial or transactional sex, and people with HIV.
Further information about mpox and the Ministry of Health’s mobile vaccination and sexual health clinic scans can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.
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