LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles County Health Department on Tuesday reported a “concerning increase” in 10 new cases of MPOX over the past two weeks, higher than the countywide average of fewer than two cases per week over the past few weeks.
Health officials are strongly advising at-risk residents to take action.
Initial symptoms feel like the flu, but when a new, unexplained rash appears, most people start to realize they may have MPOX, formerly known as monkeypox, and now health officials are seeing an increase in the number of cases.
“About two weeks ago we had four cases, and last week we had six,” said Dr. Sonali Kulkarni, HIV and STD program director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “To us, this is a sign that we’re entering the summer season, when people are becoming more socially and sexually active.”
The county typically tracks one to two cases per week. Mpox spreads primarily through close contact with bodily fluids, wounds, shared bedding, or respiratory droplets that are transmitted by kissing, coughing, sneezing, and even skin-to-skin contact.
“People may also be wearing layers of clothing at dance clubs or parties, as even very close physical contact can spread the infection. Also, some people may have MPOX in the early stages and not know it, so they’re not spreading it intentionally, but unwillingly or unknowingly.”
Given the recent increase in cases, public health officials are recommending that anyone with symptoms such as unusual sores like acne or blisters, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes get tested.
Kulkarni said the MPOX virus doesn’t mutate as rapidly as influenza or COVID, so the same two-dose vaccine would still be effective. At-risk groups also include men who have sex with men.
“People engaged in commercial or transactional sex work, regardless of gender or sexual orientation,” she said.
And people infected with HIV.
For more information about vaccination sites, Canada Or you can go to one of our 10 sexual health clinics: public health Vaccinations will be administered at centres across the county and mobile vaccination teams will also be working at various Pride events this month.
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