Yesterday, the Allegheny County Health Department identified the first case of mpox in Allegheny County this year.
The mpox virus is still a public health concern. People infected with mpox typically develop a rash that can initially look like pimples or blisters. Mpox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, typical of intimate situations, clubbing, or circuit parties.
The CDC recommends the mpox vaccine if:
- You had known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox, including sexual partners.
- You had a sex partner in the past two weeks who was diagnosed with mpox.
- You are gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men or transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse person in the past six months.
- You have HIV or other causes of immune suppression and have had recent or anticipate future risk of mpox exposure.
Central Outreach Wellness Center offers the mpox vaccine free of charge, no insurance required.