Two cases of the Mpox virus were recently documented in Worcester, part of a \u201cconcerning\u201d increase in statewide infections, records show.<\/p>\n
The state has recorded 51 cases through Dec. 1 this year, with 37 of those reported since Aug. 1, according to the state\u2019s Department of Public Health.<\/p>\n
That total, an increase over last year, prompted DPH to issue a \u201cclinical advisory\u201d to health care providers, urging them to be on the watch for patients exhibiting symptoms of the virus. At that time, the state had recorded 34 cases.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the number of cases is small compared to the peak of the global outbreak in 2022, the uptick in cases over the past few months represents a concerning trend,\u201d the DPH wrote in the advisory. \u201cIt is likely that unreported cases are occurring and that infection continues to spread in the community through intimate skin-to-skin sexual contact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Worcester\u2019s public health director, Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, told Telegram.com <\/a>that two homeless women who are also sex workers had tested positive for Mpox. <\/p>\n Amid concerns they could spread the illness, Hirsh said the women left a hospital against medical advice. He said officials discussed quarantining the women, but decided against it, the outlet reported. <\/p>\n Hirsch also works for the UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health. Both Worcester and UMass officials declined to make Hirsh available for an interview. <\/p>\n Thomas Matthews, a spokesman for Worcester\u2019s city manager, Eric D. Batista, confirmed the Mpox cases. <\/p>\n He said the city has conducted \u201cproactive messaging\u201d and held three Mpox vaccination clinics in \u201ccollaboration with local shelters and community partners\u201d but declined to provide any further information.<\/p>\n Although anyone can contract Mpox, the virus has predominantly spread in communities of men<\/a> who have sex with men, and typically is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. <\/p>\n Symptoms include<\/a> a blistering rash that can be quite painful on people\u2019s hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals. The rash is often accompanied by fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. <\/p>\n There is a two-dose vaccine that has been found effective in preventing infection and reducing the health impacts of the illness. The World Health Organization said most people recover, although deaths have also been reported.<\/p>\n Most patients have mild disease, although some, particularly those with advanced or untreated HIV infection<\/a>, may experience more severe outcomes.<\/p>\n John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @JREbosglobe<\/a>. Camille Bugayong can be reached at camille.bugayong@globe.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n