According to the Southern Nevada Health District, seven probable and confirmed cases of MPOX have been reported in Southern Nevada in 2024. Overall, there have been 317 cases in Clark County.

The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus in the same family as the smallpox viruses. Symptoms include a rash that forms crusts before healing.

So far, only the less severe type of Mpox has been reported in the United States. Clade I, which can cause more severe illness and death, is endemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to neighboring countries. According to the Center for Disease Control, Clade II caused the global Mpox outbreak in 2022. More than 99.9 percent of people with Clade II survive, according to the CDC.

“We want people to know because sporadic cases keep coming up,” Jennifer Sizemore, communications director for the health district, told the Review-Journal.

She said the organization has recently seen an increase in discussions about Mpox on social media and has also received more inquiries about it.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, one case of MPOX was reported at the Clark County Detention Center during the week of August 19. The individual is no longer in custody, and no additional cases have been reported, according to police.

“Mpox spreads through close or intimate contact,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, district health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, in a news release Wednesday afternoon. “The most effective way for at-risk individuals to protect themselves is to receive two doses of the Mpox vaccine, if they are eligible.”

According to the CDC, Mpox can be transmitted through contact between animals and humans. The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with people with symptoms such as rashes and lesions and avoiding objects that have been touched by people with Mpox. If exposed, people should monitor for symptoms for 21 days and seek medical attention.

It usually takes about seven to 14 days after infection for Mpox to develop, but the incubation period can be between five and 21 days, according to the health department. It lasts two to four weeks.

According to the Health Department, antiviral drugs and smallpox vaccines can be used to treat and prevent smallpox infections.

Administering two doses of the vaccine has been effective in reducing the risk of contracting the disease and reducing the severity of symptoms if infected, according to the health department. If administered within 14 days of infection, the vaccine may also reduce the risk of contracting MPOX. According to the health department, over 11,740 doses have been administered in Clark County.

For more information about the vaccine, visit snhd.info/Mpox.

Contact Katie Futterman at [email protected].