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Since the global mpox outbreak began in May 2022, cases have continued to occur in the United States in 2024.

According to the U.S. CDC's Notes from the Field published on May 23, 2024, after the peak in late 2022, mpox cases declined sharply and remained significantly lower, about 59 cases per week from October 2023 to April 30, 2024.

Most mpox cases in the U.S. are reported in urban centers.

In New York City, there have been 42 mpox cases from April 7, 2024, to May 4, 2024.

The CDC says most new mpox cases occur in unvaccinated persons. However, vaccine breakthrough cases have been confirmed. 

Since October 2023, five people have died from mpox infection.

CDC recommends that persons at risk for mpox exposure who have not previously recovered from mpox complete the 2-dose JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) vaccination.

A meta-analysis of 16 studies published on April 26, 2024, revealed that the JYNNEOS vaccine effectiveness (VE) for one pre-exposure prophylactic vaccination ranged from 35% to 86%, and VE ranged from 66% to 90% (n=5) for two doses.

Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS was co-developed with the U.S. Government (BARDA, BioShield) to ensure adult populations can be protected from smallpox.

As of May 2024, healthcare providers in the U.S. can order JYNNEOS through their preferred wholesaler and distribution partners.

According to the U.S. CDC's Tick Bite Data Tracker dashboard, emergency room visits for tick bites have accelerated.

As of mid-May 2024, most tick disease cases in the U.S. have been concentrated in the Northeast, followed by the Midwest.

The CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease yearly.

While Lyme disease received the most media attention, common Tickborne diseases in the United States include Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

While the Lyme disease vaccine candidate (VLA15) continues conducting late-stage research, it previously received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Fast Track designation. The vaccine manufacturers have indicated updated study results in 2025.

Until a preventive Lyme disease vaccine becomes available, the CDC recommends protecting yourself from ticks by applying DEET or picaridin, treating clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department recently announced a pertussis outbreak after 9 cases were confirmed since late April 2024. These cases include students attending local high schools.

“Any school-age children with symptoms of pertussis should stay home from school and visit their health care provider for evaluation, even if they have previously been vaccinated,” the health department said in a statement on May 20, 2024. 

Pertussis (Whooping cough) is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads quickly from person to person. The health department recommends preventive antibiotics for high-risk students exposed to pertussis. 

Kentucky requires school-age children to be vaccinated against pertussis. For protection, one dose of the Tdap vaccine is recommended for children ages 11 and above.

Throughout the United States, pertussis cases have been increasing in recent years.

The U.S. CDC reported 5,611 cases in 2023, significantly more than the 2,388 pertussis cases reported in 2022.

Internationally, pertussis outbreaks have continued in 2024.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), more than 32,000 pertussis cases were reported between January and March 2024. The ECDC data announced on May 8, 2024, indicates a nearly 10-fold increase in pertussis cases this year.

Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) today announced it would award $3.96 million to the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine to develop a maternal vaccine that prevents sepsis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in newborns and infants.

The CVD vaccine candidate, which targets the surface sugars of K. pneumoniae, is expected to be given to pregnant women, thereby protecting their babies from this deadly infection.

If successful, researchers expect the vaccine will prevent 80-90% of K. pneumoniae neonatal sepsis infections.

“With this award, the CVD team has even greater potential to bring a maternal vaccine for neonatal sepsis to market and save the lives of millions of infants worldwide, especially in low-and-middle income countries through its global partnership with Auro Vaccines of India,” said Erin Duffy, PhD, R&D Chief of CARB-X, in a press release on May 21, 2024.

“By vaccinating expectant mothers, the risk of neonatal sepsis might be reduced substantially as babies who are too young to be vaccinated would receive antibodies from their mothers in utero as well as through breastfeeding after birth.”

The CARB-X award supports examining the feasibility of this project to maximize its potential impact on the vulnerable patient population.

The CVD team aims to develop and evaluate their vaccine further in partnership with Auro Vaccines Private Limited, a step-down subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma Limited, India.

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening response to bloodstream infections that occur in newborns fewer than 28 days old. Due to their immature immune systems, newborns are particularly susceptible to infections.

The BARNARDS study estimated that 2.5 million neonates or infants in the first month of life die annually of sepsis, with the most significant burden in low- and middle-income countries.

Since neonatal sepsis progresses rapidly, it requires immediate treatment with IV fluids and antibiotics. The risk of death from neonatal sepsis increases by 7.6% every hour a treatment is delayed.

Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and others support CARB-X funding for this research.