MPOX (Monkeypox) Information

Information about the MPOX virus in the City of St. Louis

Overview

MPOX (formally called monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the MPOX virus. MPOX virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. MPOX symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms but milder, and MPOX is rarely fatal. MPOX is not related to chickenpox.

As of now, there is no treatment for MPOX. However, antiviral medication for smallpox may be used for people who are likely to get severely ill.

View information from the CDC about MPOX.
View information from the World Health Organization about MPOX.

St. Louis Case Count

City of St. Louis Data as of
May 21, 2024

Number of confirmed MPOX cases in the City of St. Louis 45 Confirmed case is defined as: lab evidence of virus DNA by PCR or Next-Generation sequencing, OR isolation of virus in culture from clinical specimen.

Number of probable MPOX cases 37 Probable cases indicate detection of Orthopoxvirus DNA by polymerase chain reaction or immunohistochemical or electron microscopy testing methods.

U.S. Case Map as of March 5, 2024

For the latest updates, refer to the CDC's U.S. Map & Case Count site or the State of Missouri's MPOX site.

Education Toolkit

Educational materials produced to share accurate information about MPOX.

MPOX (Monkeypox) Education

Vaccine Information

The MPOX virus continues to spread in the St. Louis region and the regional local public health departments are working diligently with local clinic partners to provide MPOX vaccinations.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has recently expanded eligibility for MPOX vaccination to include anyone who is likely to be exposed to MPOX (sometimes referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP). The vaccination is a two-dose series, 28 days apart, and helps prevent the spread of MPOX.

Anybody who meets any of the criteria below are now eligible for MPOX vaccine:

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender or nonbinary people who in the past 6 months have had
- A new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted diseases (i.e., acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) and/or
- More than one sex partner
People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
- Sex at a commercial sex venue
- Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where MPOX transmission is occurring (this currently includes the St. Louis metro region)
Sexual partners of people with the above risks
People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with MPOX

Availability

Vaccines are available at the following locations for those who meet the above criteria. Please bring your insurance card (if you have insurance) and a photo ID to your vaccine appointment. All the locations below will provide vaccination if you do not have insurance.

Affinia Healthcare
- Call 314-814-8700 to inquire
- Affinia will offer the Mpox vaccine on Thursdays 9-11:45 a.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at its midtown location, 2900 Washington Ave.
SSM Health
- Call 314-955-9600 to schedule vaccination
- Vaccines are available at SSM Health locations in Rock Hill, Florissant, Arnold, and O’Fallon
Southampton Healthcare
- Please go to their website: https://www.southamptonhealthcare.com/mpx-walk-in
- Southampton Healthcare is located at 2340 Hampton Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63139

Symptoms

MPOX symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after infection, but sometimes this can extend to three weeks. You may experience the symptoms listed below:

Fever
Chills
Rashes
Muscle pain/Backaches
Fatigue/Exhaustion
Swollen lymph nodes behind ears, on the neck, in the groin area, or in the armpits

Anyone can get MPOX if they come into close contact with an infected person. In the 2022 outbreak, the largest number of cases have been documented in sexual networks among men who have sex with men.

The community should take precautions and limit skin-to-skin contact or intimate contact with anybody who has MPOX.

Spread and Prevention

MPOX is spread through:

direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with MPOX
being scratched or bitten by an animal infected with MPOX

MPOX can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.

To prevent contracting MPOX, you should avoid:

Skin-to-skin physical contact and intimate contact with a person with MPOX
Do not handle, touch, or share utensils, cups, bedding, towels, or clothing of a person diagnosed with MPOX
Frequent wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer

Testing Locations

News

Health Advisory: Severe Manifestations of Monkeypox among People who are Immunocompromised Due to HIV or Other Conditions
During the current outbreak in the U.S., most reported cases of monkeypox with severe manifestations have been among people living with untreated HIV.
News/Announcement | Department of Health | 09/30/2022
Biden-Harris Administration Makes Hundreds of Thousands More Vaccine Doses Available to Support Monkeypox Response
States and jurisdictions to receive twice the allocation previously anticipated under accelerated delivery schedule
Press release | Department of Health | 08/15/2022
Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution Plan Announced
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services designated St. Louis County Department of Public Health as the region’s monkeypox vaccine hub.
Press release | Department of Health | 08/11/2022
White House Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency
The U.S. announcement comes almost a month after the WHO announced monkeypox is a public health emergency of international concern.
Press release | Department of Health | 08/05/2022
Probable Case of Monkeypox Being Investigated in the City of St. Louis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified three previous cases of monkeypox in Missouri.
Press release | Department of Health | 07/12/2022