DOH Issues Advisory on Mpox Cases Associated with Person-to-Person Transmission

On May 1, 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a Health Advisory to providers across the state regarding mpox cases associated with person-to-person transmission and contacted local health departments (LHDs) to encourage them to sign up for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine finder tool to maximize accessibility and ensure that community members know where to find a nearby mpox vaccine.

Per the advisory:

• Data suggest that individuals who identify as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men comprise the majority of reported cases in the current mpox outbreak.
• Regardless of gender identity, birth sex, sex of sex partner(s), travel, and/or specific or perceived risk factors, providers should be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with mpox.
• Clinicians suspecting mpox infection should strictly adhere to infection control practices and are required to immediately notify their local health department (LHD).
• This advisory provides updates to NYSDOH Health Alert Notice for providers in New York State - July 8, 2022.
• Key updates include:
  • Background on status of mpox outbreak, including the updated name “mpox” from “monkeypox”
  • Addition of mpox to the list of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in New York
  • Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) Title 10, Section 23.1
  • NYS Vaccine Strategy (outside of NYC)
  • Testing
  • Obtaining tecovirimat (TPOXX) for treatment or postexposure prophylaxis
  • Reporting requirements

Questions on the advisory may be directed to mpox@health.ny.gov.

Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 146