MADISON (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) confirmed five mpox cases in the state this year, with a cluster identified in southeastern Wisconsin and cases in northern Wisconsin.
Although mpox has been circulating at low levels since 2022, DHS says current surveillance data show an uptick of infections nationwide in recent weeks. As of May 3, 535 cases have been confirmed across the United States.
Mpox is not common but can be a serious virus spread through intimate, face-to-face contact, such as talking or breathing closely for long periods; sustained skin-to-skin contact; and contact with items that have been contaminated with the fluids or sores of a person with mpox. The risk to the general public is low.
Mpox symptoms usually include a new, unexplained rash that develops into hard, round, fluid or pus-filled skin lesions. Some people with mpox may develop fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches or chills.
The mpox rash typically develops within one to three days after fever, however, some people may experience rash or sores first.
DHS encourages Wisconsinites at higher risk for mpox exposure to talk to a trusted health care provider about vaccination. Providers may recommend a person get vaccinated if they are gay, bisexual or a man who has sex with men including people who were assigned female at birth and have had more than one sex partner in the last six months; traveling and have a sexual exposure with someone in a different area; or in close contact with someone with mpox, including health care workers where exposure is possible.
Anyone who thinks they were recently exposed to mpox should contact a health care provider to talk about whether they should get vaccinated.
People who become ill should avoid contact with others until receiving health care. DHS urges all Wisconsinites to contact a doctor or nurse immediately if they develop any unexpected skin lesions or rashes.