May 11, 2023 – The CDC announced this week that it's investigating several latest cases of Mpox, formerly called monkeypox.
Officials said only a month ago that the weekly rate of recent infections had slowed to zero nationwide. CBS News reported. Now Chicago health authorities announced that that they had been tracking latest infections and that the majority of those infected had already been vaccinated.
“CDC is working with local and state health authorities to investigate new cases of MPOX, some of which have occurred in vaccinated people. Infection after vaccination is possible, but administration of the two-dose vaccine makes it less likely,” the CDC tweeted.
There were 13 latest or probable cases in Chicago, the CDC said. Nine were vaccinated. None of the 13 people were hospitalized.
Since April 26, 60 cases have been reported in eight states, the CDC said.
The CDC still recommends two doses of vaccine for at-risk people, and said doctors should test patients with symptoms no matter whether or not they have been vaccinated or not.
“Vaccination remains very important. No vaccine is 100 percent effective, and infections after vaccination are possible, but they may be milder and less likely to result in hospitalization,” the CDC said.
According to CBS, authorities are concerned a couple of possible resurgence of cases, “particularly in connection with travel and gatherings related to Pride celebrations in the coming months.”
Worldwide, the number of recent infections is declining, said Tedros Adhanom-Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. Nevertheless, he added: “We know that the virus continues to spread in certain communities and countries, such as in the Western Pacific, and we continue to see travel-related cases.”