A new strain of mpox – formerly recognized as monkeypox – has emerged for the first time since its last major U.S. outbreak in 2022. And while the symptoms of the virus are similar to before, who is getting sick is different and the transmission rate is much higher.

As of late August, the Southern Nevada Health District had recorded seven cases of mpox in the Clark County metro area. The current death rate of those who contract the virus is 3% — which is 10 times higher than during the 2022 outbreak.

To help the local community protect itself, we checked in with Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor at the UNLV School of Public Health, on the latest facts and prevention tips. 

According to Labus, the spread of the most recent mpox strain is directly linked to international travel. Mpox, which originated in central Africa nearly 20 years ago and usually affects rodents like rats or mice, is a virus that causes a fever and rash of pimples or blisters. It’s spread mainly through skin-to-skin contact, typically during sexual activity. Whereas the 2022 cases were seen more frequently among the men who have sex with men (MSM) population, he said the new strain of mpox is more prevalent among heterosexuals.

“This isn’t a case where the past virus reemerged. It’s a completely different virus than we saw in 2022,” said Labus, who spent 15 years as a senior epidemiologist for the Southern Nevada Health District conducting outbreak investigations prior to joining UNLV. “They’re both mpox viruses, but deaths are a lot more common with this newer virus than the one that spread two years ago.”

While death is more common with this outbreak, Labus stressed that most people will recover if they get sick. That’s thanks in part to an mpox vaccine, which wasn’t yet available to help stem the spread when the 2022 epidemic first began ramping up. The vaccine can be administered before or after exposure. 

“The real difference is the ability of the new mpox variant to spread from person to person more easily,” Labus said. “It used to be a virus that would spread from rodents to humans — which would sometimes lead to small clusters of infections, but not large outbreaks. However, because of the virus' recent mutations, more outbreaks more often means more people who, thanks to the advent of planes and other international transportation, are able to spread the virus to more places around the world.”

So, what are some things to know to protect yourself?

• “Remember that mpox isn’t a disease that you pick up from someone at the grocery store or sitting next to someone on the bus,” Labus said. While global health officials have identified cases in children or household contacts, it’s usually spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, such as sexual activity. It can also be spread through a respiratory route, but it requires prolonged face-to-face contact.
   
• “We haven't seen it spread widely in the U.S. yet but, as with most diseases, we're always concerned about older people and people with immuno-compromising conditions that may have a much more serious disease if they get it,” Labus said.
   
• Most people fall into the low-risk category. And for those with elevated risk, there are precautions to reduce the danger, such as vaccination. A list of available vaccination sites can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.
   
• Due to limited mpox vaccine supply, it’s not recommended to get vaccinated unless there is an immediate risk of exposure.