Sorry to be the one to break the news, gays– but mpox is back with a vengeance, at least in Europe. There’s no need to panic in the US yet. However, to learn from history, the time to act is before it becomes a problem, aka NOW.
Here’s what we know: The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global health emergency for the second time in two years.
There’s a scarier difference, though. There’s a more contagious and fatal variant, clade I (the OG was clade II), first reported in an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
But now, Sweden has confirmed the first case of the new strain outside Africa.
NBC News reported, “The version of clade I responsible for the outbreak in Congo also appears to be fairly transmissible via routine close contact, such as between members of a household,” which is a stark contrast to its predecessor that was primarily transmitted via sexual intercourse.
NYC Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan urged that the best way of fighting the new strain is to prevent the problem from spreading. “We must advocate for resources to flow to the parts of the world most affected because we know stopping outbreaks at their source is the smartest way to respond.”
He added that full vaccination is still the key to minimizing risks. “Two doses are needed for maximum protection, so anyone who did not get their second dose should do so immediately. We also encourage everyone to educate themselves and to explore our resources on what to know and how to protect yourself from mpox.”
Due to the limited number of travelers and lack of direct commercial flights from DRC or its neighboring countries to the United States, the risk of clade I mpox importation to the United States is considered very low.
Of course, Sweden changed the game, and experts warned the problem has likely already reached and is spreading in neighboring countries, such as the UK. As seen in the past, if it successfully spreads in Europe, the US is not safe.
So.Gay reached out to Doctor Carlton, who was fresh off a call with the former Deputy Director of the White House impacts team, answering all the pressing questions from the LGBTQ+ community. He graciously shared those insights with us.
If I was infected with mpox, do I still need to get vaccinated?
“The CDC guidelines indicate that natural immunity against mpox is sufficient, so you don’t need to be vaccinated if you’ve already had it,” says Dr. Carlton. “That being said, many people who were infected in 2022 had such a horrible experience that they decided to add an extra layer of protection with the vaccine because they never want to go through that again.”
If I received the mpox vaccine when the dosage was reduced to one-fifth and given intradermally, am I still protected?
“The CDC conducted a study and found no evidence of a difference between the two dosing methods,” says Dr. Carlton. “However, if you only received one dose, you must get both shots to be fully protected.”
If I received the vaccine two years ago, am I still protected?
“That is what the CDC is saying,” says Dr. Carlton. “But there is one thing I want to say: no vaccine is a silver bullet. Some people who received both doses were still infected. It depends on the risk level. If something is 89% effective, and you take 100 loads at a party, your risk will increase. It’s not about slut shaming, but this is a numbers game.”
Will the vaccine protect me from the new strain of mpox?
Dr. Carlton echoes the CDC’s confirmation that the vaccine should protect against the new strain. “If the new strain reaches the US, much of the information is inferred. We believe the vaccine you received in 2022 should protect you from the 2024 strain, but there’s still a lot we don’t know. Overall, I’m confident in our data so far, which indicates that most people vaccinated or previously infected will have a significantly lower risk of infection.”
What is the most urgent problem with mpox?
“The problem is only about 25% of people who are at risk in the United States have been fully vaccinated,” says Dr. Carlton.
Lastly, if you have an unexplained rash or any symptoms, don’t have sex (especially at an orgy!) and put others at risk.
