Denver Confirms Fourth Mpox Case

The Colorado Sun today reported Dr. Rachel Herlihy, an epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), confirmed three mpox cases were identified in June and one in May 2023.

Dr. Herlihy told John Ingold on June 26, 2023, that some cases involved out-of-state travel, and two patients were linked.

Herlihy confirmed of the four recent Colorado cases, two were in people who had received the complete two-dose JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN) vaccine regimen, and one was in someone who was unvaccinated. 

Additional mpox vaccine breakthrough cases, such as about 40 in Chicago, IL, have been confirmed.

CDPHE's press release on June 12, 2023, stated vaccination continues to be one of the most important preventive measures against mpox.

Mpox vaccination in Colorado remains limited to those currently most at risk for exposure to the virus. Go to CDPHE's website to find a vaccine provider or sign up for vaccination at a mobile clinic.

"There's always going to be the potential for re-introduction," Herlihy said. "For the time being, at least, I think we will continue to see sporadic (mpox) cases occurring."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the U.S. National Mpox Vaccination Strategy in 2023, continuing to recommend people exposed to the mpox virus and those more likely to contract the sexually transmitted disease should be vaccinated.

However, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently presented no recommendation for a third JYNNEOS dose, including for persons with advanced HIV or other severe immunocompromise.

Mpox vaccination and outbreak news was updated on June 26, 2023.