Mpox

Learn about mpox and how to protect yourself and others with the following resources. For ongoing updates, please visit: www.mass.gov/mpox

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Mpox is a viral infection that can infect animals and humans and spreads mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has mpox.

In May 2022, public health officials began tracking a global outbreak of mpox that has spread across several countries that don’t normally report mpox. Cases currently appear to be spreading within sexual and social networks, and have been observed among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the risk of mpox is not limited to people who are sexually active or MSM. Anyone can get or pass along mpox. BPHC wants to reiterate that stigmatizing people because of a disease is never acceptable. We need to advocate against stigma and discrimination: We are all in this together.

All Boston residents living in the City of Boston who are diagnosed with mpox are contacted and followed by the Boston Public Health Commission’s Infectious Diseases Bureau throughout their disease course to provide information and support.

Review the mpox data.

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Mpox frequently asked questions

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The Facts About Mpox

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The Basics

How does Mpox spread?

Mpox is not a gay disease. The risk of mpox is not limited to people who are sexually active or men who have sex with men.

Anyone can get or spread mpox. Mpox is most commonly spread through close and sustained intimate contact, including:

Direct “skin to skin” or “skin to mouth” contact with mpox rash, sores, or scabs
Sexual contact
Touching, hugging, massaging, kissing
Prolonged face to face contact with respiratory droplets from a person with mpox (less common)
Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta
Animal to human transmission is also possible, ex. by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.

A person with mpox is considered infectious from the beginning of symptoms. They can stay that way until sores have crusted, scabbed over, fallen off, and a fresh layer of healthy skin has formed underneath. This can often take several weeks.

What is being done to stop the spread?

Our priority is to raise awareness of mpox among our residents, communities, and healthcare partners about mpox virus symptoms, treatment, and vaccination. This is important because:

Infected people can notice their symptoms early, stay away from others, and seek care and treatment from a healthcare provider.
Public health authorities and medical providers can identify cases early and notify close contacts and those who may have been exposed to mpox so they can be vaccinated to prevent infection.
Individuals who are eligible to get vaccinated for mpox can get vaccinated to protect themselves from getting infected. For more info on vaccine eligibility, see here.