Blum Center Program: Mpox Today

Why It Matters

Rising mpox incidence threatens vulnerable populations and strains health resources, making updated prevention and treatment protocols essential for containment. Clinicians and policymakers can leverage these insights to curb spread and allocate resources efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Mpox cases rising in 2025‑2026 across U.S.
• New antiviral Tecovirimat approved for early treatment.
• Vaccination with JYNNEOS recommended for high‑risk groups.
• Wastewater surveillance aids early outbreak detection.
• Telehealth expands access to mpox counseling.

Pulse Analysis

The resurgence of mpox in 2025‑2026 reflects shifting transmission dynamics, with clusters emerging in both urban and rural settings across the United States. Seasonal patterns, increased travel, and waning immunity from prior smallpox vaccinations have contributed to a modest but steady rise in reported cases. Public health officials are now prioritizing real‑time data streams, such as wastewater analysis, to detect viral signatures before clinical diagnoses surface, enabling a more proactive response to potential outbreaks.

Prevention remains the cornerstone of mpox control, and the latest guidance underscores broader deployment of the JYNNEOS vaccine for high‑risk groups, including men who have sex with men, frontline healthcare workers, and individuals with immunocompromising conditions. In addition to vaccination, community education campaigns focus on safe sexual practices, proper wound care, and isolation protocols for suspected cases. Wastewater surveillance, combined with targeted testing in hotspots, offers a cost‑effective early warning system that can trigger rapid contact tracing and vaccination drives before community spread escalates.

Therapeutically, the antiviral tecovirimat, approved by the FDA in late 2024, has become the first-line oral treatment for patients presenting within the early phase of infection, reducing symptom duration and viral shedding. Complementary supportive care, including pain management and skin lesion care, is delivered increasingly via telehealth platforms, expanding access for patients in remote areas. Looking ahead, researchers are evaluating next‑generation vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, while health systems refine integrated surveillance‑treatment pathways to mitigate future mpox waves.

Original Description

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. This session from February 9, 2026, focuses on the evolving landscape of mpox. Kevin Ard, MD, discusses latest trends, prevention strategies, and available treatment options.

This session is a collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Sexual Health Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital.