Mpox
What is Mpox?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus in the same family as smallpox. Mpox symptoms are like smallpox, but milder and rarely fatal.
An individual can get the virus when they come into contact with the sores, scabs, or body fluids of an infected person. Infections occur through close, intimate situations, such as cuddling, kissing and sexual contact and by touching contaminated materials, such as clothing, bedding and other linens used by an infected person.
Symptoms of Mpox
- Rash
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
An individual may experience all or only a few symptoms.
Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash. Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.
Some individuals with mpox only have a few sores. People with mpox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face or mouth. It is critical that people who believe they were exposed to the virus and develop a rash get tested to limit the spread of the disease.
Get Tested for Mpox
Most health care facilities (emergency departments, urgent cares, clinics, hospitals, etc.) are testing patients with possible mpox symptoms in Allegheny County. Free testing is also available at the ACHD’s Public Health Clinic. Health care providers throughout the county can also order tests through commercial laboratories or seek approval for free testing at the state’s public health laboratory.
If you have a rash and believe it could be mpox, walk-in to the ACHD Public Health Clinic.
Location
Blakey Center - Public Health Clinic
1908 Wylie Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Clinic Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesdays: 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm
To learn more, visit the Public Health Clinic page or call 412-578-8081.
Get Vaccinated for Mpox
The mpox vaccine may prevent disease if given before exposure or within four days of exposure to the virus. People who should get vaccinated include those who:
- Are a gay, bisexual, or other same-gender loving man who has sex with men or are transgender, gender non-binary, or gender-diverse.
- Have had sexual or intimate contact with someone who may have mpox. Get vaccinated as soon as possible after exposure, regardless of your sexual or gender identity.
AND those who, in the last 6 months, have had or expect to have:
- One or more sexually transmitted infections
- Sexual or intimate contact with a person who is at risk of mpox
- Anonymous sexual or intimate contact, or more than one sexual partner
The ACHD Immunization Clinic offers the JYNNEOS vaccine to those who meet criteria.
Community health care providers that are offering the vaccine, include:
- Allies for Health + Wellbeing, 5913 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
- Metro Community Health Center, 1789 S Braddock Ave #410, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
- Central Outreach Wellness Center, 127 Anderson Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- AHN Positive Health Clinic, 1307 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (only vaccinating current patients)
- UPMC Center of Care for Infectious Diseases, 3601 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (only vaccinating UPMC patients)
- University of Pittsburgh Vaccination and Health Connection Hub, Nordenberg Hall, 4041 Fifth Ave. (ground floor, Fifth Ave. entrance), Pittsburgh, PA 15213
If you, or someone you know, believes they were in close contact with the mpox virus and is eligible to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine, contact ACHD by calling 412-687-ACHD (412-687-2243).
Confirmed Mpox Cases in Allegheny County
Allegheny County experienced its first diagnosed case of mpox on June 30, 2022. Since then, the county has confirmed the following number of cases:
Information updated as of April 23, 2024
Data represent cases by year of illness onset. If onset date is unavailable, cases are represented by year of clinical specimen collection.
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