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Yes, mpox is still circulating in the US, but the CDC says the risk to most people remains low. Clade II continues to spread at low levels. Clade I cases now include likely domestic transmission. “Still spreading” describes the pattern across the country. It doesn’t mean everyone faces the same exposure risk. This guide covers what the CDC currently says about symptoms, the JYNNEOS vaccine, treatment and isolation.
Where mpox stands in the US right now
The CDC’s situation page, dated October 5, 2026, says the risk from the clade I outbreak to most people in the US remains low. Its key points:
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- Since November 2024, the CDC reports more than 80 laboratory-confirmed clade I cases in at least 22 states.
- Many early cases involved recent travel, or sexual contact with someone who had traveled.
- Since August 2026, a growing share of cases have been in people with no recent international travel and no known link to a recent traveler.
- Cases with presumed domestic transmission have been reported in more than 10 jurisdictions. The CDC says this points to a likely transition to sustained clade Ib transmission, and it expects more travel-related and domestically acquired cases.
- Clade II remains in circulation at low levels. The CDC notes that fall 2025 had its highest monthly case counts since the 2022 outbreak peak.
What “clade” means
Clades are genetic branches of the mpox virus. The two main groups are clade I (including Ib) and clade II. The CDC currently recommends the same core prevention and clinical approach for both.
Historical numbers, with caveats
These figures come from a CDC MMWR surveillance report published August 20, 2026. They are past counts for 2024–2025, not a live 2026 tally.
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- 5,322 US cases were reported across 2024–2025: 2,803 in 2024 and 2,519 in 2025.
- Reported cases doubled from 423 in September–October 2024 to 873 in the same months of 2025. They then fell to 448 in November–December 2025.
- In an adjusted analysis of 860 cases with available data, unvaccinated patients had 9.73 times the odds of hospitalization compared with fully vaccinated patients. This is an observational association, not a randomized trial result. The confidence interval was wide (2.93–60.65), and vaccination status was missing for 62% of records. Don’t read it as a precise prediction for any one person.
- Passive surveillance can miss mild infections, and data collection varies by jurisdiction.
Symptoms and when to get tested
The CDC says people usually become ill within 21 days of close contact with someone who has mpox.
What to look for
- Rash: It can appear on the hands, feet, chest or face, in or around the mouth, or near the genitals or anus. It may look like pimples or blisters, can be painful or itchy, and changes through stages before scabbing and healing.
- Other symptoms: Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches or backache, headache and respiratory symptoms can occur. Some people have only a few of these.
When you can spread it
A person can spread mpox from the start of symptoms until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The CDC notes limited evidence that some people with clade II infection may transmit one to four days before symptoms appear. How often this happens is unclear, so it shouldn’t be treated as the usual pattern.
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What to do with a new rash
If you have a new or unexplained rash, especially after close contact with someone who may have had mpox, contact a healthcare provider and ask about testing. Avoid close or intimate contact until you’ve spoken with one. Vaccination doesn’t rule out infection, so the CDC says symptomatic people should be tested even if they’ve been vaccinated.
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JYNNEOS is a two-dose vaccine that protects against mpox and smallpox. The second dose should come four weeks (28 days) after the first. If it’s delayed, get it as soon as possible. The CDC says protection is strongest two weeks after the second dose.
Who the CDC recommends it for
- People with a known or suspected exposure to mpox.
- People whose recent sex partner was diagnosed with mpox.
- People in specified sexual-risk situations defined in CDC guidance, and people whose partners are in those situations.
- People who expect to be in circumstances where exposure is likely.
- People with certain travel-related sexual exposures.
- People with occupational exposure to orthopoxviruses, such as some laboratory workers.
The exact criteria are detailed, so ask a clinician or your local health department whether you qualify.
Side effects and limits
Common side effects are pain, redness or itching where you got the shot. Some people also get fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, chills or muscle aches. Infection after vaccination is still possible, so new symptoms still call for testing.
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Where to get it
The CDC lists local health departments, public-health clinics, hospitals and some pharmacies as possible sources. Availability varies by area, so call ahead.
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Most people recover fully in two to four weeks with supportive care and pain control. The CDC’s self-care guidance includes:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers when appropriate.
- Keeping lesions covered and washing hands often.
- Not scratching or popping lesions.
- Measures for itching or localized discomfort, such as sitz baths where relevant.
Check medication choices with a provider, especially in pregnancy, for children, or if you have other conditions or take other medicines.
Antivirals: not for routine cases
No FDA-approved medicine exists specifically for mpox. Tecovirimat (TPOXX), cidofovir and brincidofovir may be available to selected patients under special FDA permission. They’re considered for severe disease or higher risk, including:
- Severe immune suppression.
- Active skin conditions.
- Pregnancy or recent pregnancy.
- Children younger than one.
The CDC says these drugs aren’t for routine mild cases and carry risks, including antiviral resistance. If you’re in a higher-risk group and develop symptoms, seek prompt clinical assessment rather than waiting it out.
Isolation: how long and how
The CDC says: “If you have monkeypox, you are advised to stay at home (isolate) if you have monkeypox symptoms, including until your monkeypox rash has healed and a new layer of skin has formed” (CDC public care guidance, January 26, 2026).
- Cover lesions, wash hands, and avoid close physical contact and shared items.
- Avoid contact with pets and other animals while you’re ill.
- If you can’t fully isolate: cover the rash, wear a well-fitting mask around others, and disinfect shared spaces.
- Don’t share towels or drinking vessels.
- If your hands have rash, use non-irritating gloves, such as disposable nitrile, when handling shared objects. This is a narrow precaution, not a substitute for isolation and handwashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be worried about mpox if I haven’t traveled or had close contact with anyone ill?
The CDC says risk to most people in the US remains low. Exposure is tied to close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has mpox, so risk isn’t evenly spread. If you develop an unexplained rash, get it checked.
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