California Safe, WHO Declares Mpox a Global Emergency.

Mpox Risk Remains Low in California as WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global health emergency in response to surging mpox infections in Africa, but health officials in California reassure that the risk of contracting the disease in the state remains low.

More than 17,000 cases have been reported in Africa this year, a significant increase from previous years, with 500 deaths recorded, according to the Africa CDC.

California's Situation:

• California has not seen an increase in infections, despite its heavy traffic of travelers.
• Infection rate as of late July: 0.57 new infections per day.
• Peak in late July/early Aug. 2002: over 100 new infections daily.
• Total statewide cases: 6,350, resulting in 279 hospitalizations.
• Cities with highest rates (10+ infections per 100,000 residents): San Francisco, Long Beach, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Berkeley, and several others.

About Mpox:

• Mpox, formerly monkeypox, is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes smallpox.
• It is a zoonotic disease, spread from vertebrate animals to humans, but human-to-human transmission has increased since 2016.
• It is usually passed from rodents/primates to humans through bites, aerosol transmission, or contact with infected fluids.
• Person-to-person transmission is mainly through close contact with infected respiratory secretions, skin lesions, or contaminated objects, per WHO.

Symptoms:

• Mpox symptoms are similar but less severe than smallpox: rashes and flu-like symptoms, per WHO and CDPH.
• Rashes go through stages, including scabs, before healing, and can appear on the face, body, genitals, arms, and legs.
• "Symptoms can start 3 (to) 21 days after exposure," CDPH stated.

"Since spring 2022, there has been an increase in mpox (formerly monkeypox) cases in many parts of the world, including here in California. Currently, the risk of getting mpox is low for the public." - CDPH

CDPH | WHO | CDC | Africa CDC