Two cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, were confirmed in Worcester, a spokesperson for the city confirmed Tuesday.
The individuals involved were admitted to UMass Memorial facilities, according to a statement from UMass Memorial Health.
“Clinical leadership from UMass Memorial Infection Prevention and Control and Employee Health Services is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH),” the statement reads.
Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city’s medical director, told the Telegram & Gazette on Tuesday the two individuals were homeless women who are sex workers.
The city spokesperson did not identify the two individuals. A UMass Memorial Health spokesperson would not provide any additional information beyond the health care provider’s statement when asked further questions.
Mpox is a viral illness that can spread from animals to humans or from humans to humans, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. People who get mpox can experience flu-like symptoms and an itchy, painful rash, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The virus primarily spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact.
There are two strains of mpox: clade 1, the more serious strain with a higher fatality rate, and clade 2. Hirsh did not know which strain the women had, according to the Telegram & Gazette.
A third person who may be at risk of contracting mpox has been tracked by infectious disease doctors at UMass Memorial Health, Hirsh told the outlet. He said the person’s situation had not escalated into a full case of mpox.
Hirsh told the Telegram & Gazette that while the risk to the public is low, being in the sex trade — like these two women reportedly are — raises the risk of infection.
Worcester previously reported two cases of mpox in 2022.