Top 5 Takeaways

1. 26,384 monkeypox cases were reported in the U.S. from May 17 to October 6, 2022, with a peak in mid-to-late August.
2. Disproportionate impact on Black and Hispanic persons, and a majority of cases (95%) occurred in cisgender men, with 75% reporting male-to-male sexual contact.
3. HIV prevalence among affected individuals was high, with 57% of 5,017 cases having HIV infection.
4. CDC response included surveillance, laboratory testing, medical countermeasures like the JYNNEOS vaccine, and public education.
5. Public health implications suggest continued prioritization of vaccination and prevention efforts for high-risk groups, including MSM, Black and Hispanic persons, and immunocompromised individuals.

Note:

This MMWR Article was created prior to the conventional renaming of Monkeypox to its more standard and appropriate name, Mpox. To avoid confusion, Monkeypox is retained when writing this article, but all future works should use Mpox.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Christine Marie Kava, ckava@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Kava CM, Rohraff DM, Wallace B, et al. Epidemiologic Features of the Monkeypox Outbreak and the Public Health Response — United States, May 17–October 6, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1449–1456. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7145a4 .

Summary

The report details the epidemiological features and public health response to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the United States. It covers the period from May 17 to October 6, 2022, during which 26,384 cases were reported. Most cases occurred in cisgender men, with a significant proportion reporting male-to-male sexual contact. Black and Hispanic populations were disproportionately affected.

Methods

The methodology involved surveillance, data collection on patient demographics, exposure history, diagnostic studies, and clinical symptoms. It also included the expansion of laboratory testing capacity, dissemination of information, and implementation of medical countermeasures like the distribution of the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Discussion

The discussion highlights the disproportionate impact of the monkeypox outbreak on certain demographics, notably cisgender men, particularly those engaging in male-to-male sexual contact, and those identified as Hispanic or Black/African American. The high prevalence of HIV among affected individuals was noted. The effectiveness of the CDC’s response strategies, including vaccination and public education, is also highlighted.

Conclusion

The report concludes that ongoing public health efforts should focus on high-risk groups. This includes prioritizing vaccination and prevention strategies for MSM, Black and Hispanic persons, and immunocompromised individuals. It emphasizes the need for continued evaluation and adaptation of response strategies based on emerging evidence and data.

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