The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern following a surge in cases.
There have been three reported cases of mpox in San Antonio in 2024.
Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral infection that can spread between people through direct contact with infectious rashes, scabs or body fluids, and through close or skin-to-skin contact.
Symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes and new, unexplained rashes or skin lesions. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick, according to WHO.
Since January 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported more than 27,000 suspected mpox cases and more than 1,300 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Since 2022, San Antonio has had 207 reported cases of mpox; three of those cases being most recent, said Miguel Cervantes, public health administrator for communicable disease at the city’s Metropolitan Health District.
When an mpox case is reported, Metro Health investigates and contacts the infected person’s known partners to offer post-exposure vaccination.
“We analyze and keep an eye on what’s going on and determine whether or not that’s going to be an issue that will be affecting our community as well,” he said.
Activity that would put a person in a possible risk category includes sharing drinks, sharing personal toiletry items or towels, and even dancing at a crowded party.
It is not possible to get mpox trying on clothes at a store, touching a doorknob, traveling in an airplane, swimming in a pool or using public restrooms, Metro Health said.
Mpox vaccines
Metro Health is gearing up its vaccination efforts and has enough vaccines on hand in case there is a local outbreak. It also shares information with LGBTQIA+ community groups at risk.
Metro Health is asking men who have sex with men to get vaccinated to prevent mpox.
Pharmacies around San Antonio should also have them available. Be sure to call before going to get vaccinated to ensure the vaccine is in stock. Because it’s not a in-demand vaccine, it may have to be ordered but usually only takes a few days to arrive, Cervantes said.
University Health told the San Antonio Report it does not have the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine in stock, but would have it readily available in case there were a local outbreak.
Health officials say you should get the vaccine if you engage in risky behaviors or travel to areas with mpox outbreaks. You can get the vaccine post exposure, but vaccination is recommended before exposure to the virus.
Get vaccinated at Metro Health’s Walk-in Clinic at 512 E. Highland Blvd., Ste. 150, or at mobile STI clinics in San Antonio (Click here to see where you can go). Call 210-207-8830 to ask questions about the mpox vaccine. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
Vaccines and mpox diagnostic tests are free and available at Metro Health clinics. The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose series. You can get the second dose no matter how much time has passed for maximum protection.
