HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Mpox, formally known as monkeypox, was first detected in the United States and in Virginia in 2022.
While the cases are lower now, the disease is still present in the commonwealth. Dr. Brandy Darby, director of the division of surveillance and investigation, said in July that the Virginia Department of Health saw an increase in cases higher than what they had seen in previous months.
“In all of 2024, we saw 27 cases of mpox and so far this year in 2025, as of Sep. 1, we have seen 23 cases in Virginia,” Darby said.
Darby said the virus is spread through close contact with others, including through sexual contact, and the most notable symptom is a distinguishable rash. The rash can be painful and itchy, and it can appear on a part of the body where it can be unpleasant and uncomfortable.
People most at-risk for severe symptoms include those with weakened immune systems, children younger than 1 year old, people with a history of eczema, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Darby said around 95% of mpox cases have been among men.
If eligible, VDH encourages anyone sexually active to get vaccinated, especially if they have multiple partners. Darby said a patient can be co-infected with mpox and a sexually transmitted infection at the same time.
“In a lot of the more severe cases of illness that we have seen,” Darby said, “they have had concurrent HIV infections and other immunocompromising conditions.”
Darby added that it is important for people to know that mpox is still spreading in Virginia. She said there have been about two deaths from Mpox since 2022 and multiple hospitalizations.
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