Mpox Returns to Israel

Xinhua recently reported Israel had detected a case of mpox for the first time in 2023.

In a statement on June 23, 2023, Israel's Health Ministry confirmed that a man who traveled from Portugal to Israel contracted mpox despite being vaccinated (JYNNEOS®, MVA-BN) against the virus.

An epidemiological investigation revealed that no other people had contact with the man and were exposed to the virus.

According to the ministry, vaccinated people may contract the mpox again if others around them have a high viral load.

Between May and October 31, 2022, Israel's ministry reported 262 mpox cases were diagnosed.

On June 24, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) published Situation Report #25 for the multi-country outbreak of mpox, which provides details on the latest epidemiology and recommendations for the care of pregnant women with mpox.

Between January 2022 and June 11, 2023, 58 mpox cases were reported by pregnant women.

Since June 19, 2023, 114 new confirmed or probable mpox cases and (1) recent death have been reported to WHO. 

Furthermore, 19 of the 112 affected countries have reported new mpox cases within the last 21 days. Six of these countries are in the Region of the Americas, and five are in the European Region.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices presented various mpox outbreak data and published Notes from the Field on June 23, 2023.

As of June 27, 2023, mpox breakthrough cases were recently confirmed in Chicago, Denver, New Jersey, and New York City.