Please see the attached LINCS message for additional information on a recent increase in mpox cases reported to New Jersey Department of Health.
Key Points or Updates:
(1) There has been a recent increase in mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases reported to the New Jersey Department of Health Communicable Disease Service (CDS). A total of 37 cases of mpox have been reported in New Jersey since January 1, 2023, with 46% of cases reported since November 2023. Most cases reside in northeast New Jersey.
(2) Although some of the recent cases have occurred in individuals who have previously been vaccinated with JYNNEOS vaccine, most cases did not have a history of vaccination. Vaccination remains an important tool to help prevent mpox spread, and may reduce severity, hospitalization, and death among those who subsequently become infected.
(3) Co-infections with mpox, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be reported. Healthcare providers should be aware of the risk of coinfections and consider testing for HIV and other STIs in patients being evaluated for mpox.
(4) There is also an ongoing outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (see prior LINCS message #111950-12-7-2023-PHAD). Local health departments and healthcare providers should obtain a travel history for patients with suspected mpox for the 21 days prior to illness onset. Healthcare providers should notify the local health department and New Jersey Department of Health if a suspect mpox case had recent travel to the DRC and specimens should be tested at the NJDOH Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (NJ PHEL).
Action Items:
(1) Healthcare providers:
a. Encourage vaccination with JYNNEOS for patients who are at increased risk of exposure and who have not yet completed the two-dose series. Providers that have administered the JYNNEOS vaccine should follow up with patients that did not complete the series and recommend that they receive their second dose.
b. Remain alert for patients presenting with symptoms consistent with mpox and test patients who have a rash illness consistent with mpox regardless of whether other etiologies are more likely.
c. Report suspect and confirmed mpox cases to the local health department where the patient resides. Contact information for local health departments is available at www.localhealth.nj.gov
d. Evaluate suspect mpox cases for HIV and other STIs.
e. Obtain a travel history for mpox cases and notify the local health department and CDS immediately of patients with mpox-like symptoms and history of travel to DRC in the 21 days prior to symptom onset.
(2) Local health departments:
a. Perform prompt investigation and contact tracing for all mpox cases in your jurisdictions, including asking about travel history. All information should be documented in CDRSS. Follow guidelines specified in the NJDOH Mpox Chapter.
b. All contacts should be entered into CDRSS, contacted to assess exposure level, and monitored and offered PEP vaccination if indicated (follow guidelines specified in the NJDOH Mpox Chapter and Contact Monitoring Guidance).
This information has been broadcast to: Community Health Centers(FQHCs); Community Health Centers (FQHCs); First Responders/Emergency Medical Services; Fire Departments; First Responders and EMS; Hazmat; Health Care Facilities/Other; Critical Care-Trauma Center; Healthcare Facilities; Integrity Health Staff; Internist Critical Care; Longterm Care Facilities; Outpatient Services; Urgent Care & Walk-in Clinics; Health Care Providers; Dentists; Dermatologists; HCPs; Hospice; ICPs; Infectious Disease Care; Medical Examiners; Neurologists; Nurses (non-school Nurses); OBGYN; Occupational Medicine; Opthamologists; Pediatricians; Primary Care Family Practice; Surgeons; Trained Smallpox Vaccinators; Hospitals/Acute Care; Hospitals Acute Care; Hospitals/Other; Hospital CEOs; Hospital Community Education; Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinators; Hospital Emergency Room; Hospital ER Medical Directors; Hospital Food Service; Hospital Human Resources; Hospital Infection Control Practitioners; Hospital Medical Directors; Hospital Nursing and Patient Care; Hospital Nursing Directors; Hospital Pharmacy; Hospital Public Relations; Hospital Quality Assurance/Improvement; Hospital Respiratory Therapy; Hospital Security Directors; Hospitals/Veterans; VA Hospitals; Labs/Non-Sentinel; Labs/Sentinel; Labs + Non-Sentinel/Sentinel; Local Boards of Health; LBH; REHS-LHDs; SCHOA (incl. backups); Health Department;