South Heartland District Health Department

What You Need to Know About Mpox

April 18, 2025

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Mpox (formerly Monkeypox)

Mpox remains rare in Nebraska, but sporadic cases continue to appear across the United States and worldwide.

Mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus. Symptoms include a rash or sores (pox), often with an earlier flu-like illness. Symptoms start within 3–21 days from exposure.​ It can spread to anyone through close skin‑to‑skin, sexual or personal contact; illness usually lasts 2–4 weeks and is preventable with the JYNNEOS vaccine.

Staying alert to new rashes, getting vaccinated if you are eligible, and checking credible sources regularly will help protect you, your family, and our community.​

Sources: CDC, Nebraska DHHS, World Health Organization (WHO)

What the Public Should Know

• Current situation – Low‑level, ongoing transmission of Clade II mpox continues in the U.S.; no active clusters have been reported in Nebraska since late 2023. Sources: ​CDC, Nebraska DHHS

Symptoms – Early flu-like symptoms of mpox can include:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Muscle aches and backache
4. Swollen lymph nodes
5. Chills
6. Exhaustion

7. and a rash that evolves from flat spots to pustules before scabbing.

• Symptoms can develop within 3–21 days from exposure.​ Sources: CDC, Massachusetts Medical Society

• How it spreads – Direct contact with lesions, respiratory droplets during prolonged face‑to‑face contact, and contaminated bedding or clothing. Sources: ​Pan American Health Organization, CDC

• Vaccination – JYNNEOS is recommended for people with certain risk factors (e.g., multiple sexual partners, laboratory exposure). It is free under Medicaid/CHIP and available through SHDHD clinics by appointment. Sources: ​CDC, CDC

• Treatment – Most cases are mild; Tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be advised for severe disease or high‑risk patients in consultation with CDC.​ Sources: CDC

How to Stay Updated

1. Check official dashboards – CDC Situation Summary and WHO Global Updates are refreshed weekly.​ Sources: CDC, World Health Organization (WHO)

2. Sign up for SHDHD alerts – Receive local vaccine clinic dates and health advisories straight to your inbox or phone. Coming Soon!

3. Follow trusted channels – @CDCgov, @WHO, and @NebraskaDHHS social media pages share fast updates.​ Sources: Nebraska DHHS, World Health Organization (WHO)

What You Can Do

Who is Eligible for Mpox Vaccine?

Get the vaccine if you Are of any gender AND in the last 6 months you have had, or expect to have in future any of the following:

• A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis etc.)
• More than one sexual partner, or anonymous sexual or intimate contact
• Sex at a commercial sex venue
• Sex in association with a large public event in a areas where mpox is currently spreading; Go to the link: https://tinyurl.com/mpoxcdcmap

Get the vaccine if you:

• Have a sex partner with any of the above mentioned risks
• 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.
• You anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
• You are at risk for occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses (e.g., certain people who work in a laboratory or a healthcare facility).

SHDHD Resources

• Mpox Public information (educational toolkit) – English Toolkit;  Spanish toolkit;

• Mpox Clinician & Clinic Toolkit ( Suspect mpox evaluation algorithms, testing guide, clinic resources): Clinician toolkit ; Clinic resources

• Mpox Educational & Vaccine Eligibility (printable fact sheets, social‑media graphics) - coming soon. Vaccine eligibility assessment form

• Contact us – 402‑462‑6211 or (24/7 line: 402 469 6480) - devi.dwarabandam@shdhd.ne.gov for anonymous consultation regarding general mpox questions, vaccine eligibility, availability, or testing guidance.

MPOX Facts

Exposure can happen through:

• Direct contact with mpox rash, sores or scabs;
• Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox; and
• Respiratory droplets or oral fluids from a person with mpox.

This contact can happen during intimate sexual contact, including:

• Oral, anal, and vaginal sex;
• Hugging, massage, or mutual masturbation;
• Kissing and talking closely; and
• Touching fabrics and objects during sex that were used by a person with mpox, such as bedding, towels and sex toys.

Public health officials know the virus can be spread in fluid or pus from mpox sores and are trying to better understand if it could be present in semen or vaginal fluids.

What Are the Symptoms?

Early flu-like symptoms of mpox can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion

Some people experience a rash or sores first, followed by other symptoms, and some only experience a rash or sores. Said rash or sores will sometimes appear located on or near the genitals or anus, but other times they might show up in areas like the hands, feet, chest or face. They may even be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus.

The sores will go through several stages before healing. Mpox can be spread from the time symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.

If You Have a New or Unexplained Rash, Sores, or Other Symptoms

• See your healthcare provider - if you don't have a provider or health insurance, contact us for an anonymous consultation at 402 469 6480 (24/7 line) for an evaluation.
• When you see a healthcare provider for possible mpox, be sure to tell them about your last 21 days of close exposures before your symptoms onset, regardless of anyone having known rashes that you noticed.
• Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out.

If You or Your Partner Have Mpox

• Get tested, follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your healthcare provider.
• Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.
• If you are sick with mpox, you are advised to stay at home (isolate) until all of your rashes have healed and a new layer of skin has formed.
• Staying away from other people and not sharing things you have touched with others will help prevent the spread of mpox. People with mpox should clean and disinfect the spaces they occupy regularly to limit household contamination and spreading to family members
• If you cannot isolate completely while you are sick, take precautions to limit the risk of spreading mpox to others such as 
• Wear a well-fitting mask and cover lesions while around others. Disinfect surfaces in shared bathrooms or rooms between each use. Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone. Avoid sharing objects (e.g., towels, washcloths, drinking from the same glass). Cover upholstered furniture and porous materials that cannot be washed. Mpox can also spread to animals, so staying away from pets, livestock and other animals is important.

References

1. CDC Situation Summary, 2025 CDC;
2. JYNNEOS Coverage Fact Sheet, 2024 CDC;
3. Nebraska DHHS Mpox Page Nebraska DHHS;
4. WHO Global SPRP, 2025 World Health Organization (WHO);
5. CDC Public‑Health Strategy, 2025 CDC;
6. CDC Clinical Signs, 2024 CDC;
7. CDC Mpox Vaccines, 2025 CDC;
8. Nebraska HAN Update, 2024 Nebraska DHHS;
9. WHO/Africa CDC News, 2025 World Health Organization (WHO);
10. PAHO Public Advice Pan American Health Organization;
11. MassMed Symptom Guide Massachusetts Medical Society.
12. For more information, please visit the CDC website.