HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Texas Health and Human Services has issued a health advisory in reference to the ongoing transmission of mpox in the state.
Mpox, formerly referred to as Monkeypox before it was renamed by the World Health Organization in 2022, is an infectious viral disease that can cause blistering.
The infection spreads from direct skin-to-skin contact with the mpox rash or lesions from a person who has the infection, DSHS stated.
After a global outbreak in 2022, the number of cases in the country decreased but never reached zero. However, in 2024, Texas has reported 152 mpox cases, compared to 85 cases during the same period last year; a 76% increase.
There are two types of mpox viruses, Clade I and Clade II. There is currently an ongoing outbreak caused by Clade I, which is believed the be more severe and transmissible, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to DSHS, all of the mpox cases in the United States thus far are due to the Clade II virus.
The advisory recommends that health care professionals, public health and the public take measures to detect and prevent the spread of the virus.
"Healthcare providers should monitor for signs and symptoms of mpox, consider it as a possible diagnosis, conduct testing when necessary, and provide recommended vaccinations as appropriate," DSHS stated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people infected with mpox may get a rash located on their hands, feet, chest, face, mouth or near their genitals. The rash will go through several stages, including scabbing.
"The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy," the CDC stated.
Other symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, headache and respiratory issues. The incubation period is between three and 17 days.
