The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated advisory outlining prevention strategies for people visiting countries with widespread clade I mpox virus outbreaks. These strategies include getting the modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (JYNNEOS) vaccine, which the World Health Organization recently prequalified.

Currently, countries with clade I mpox outbreaks include the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- where more than 21 000 cases are suspected -- along with such neighboring countries as Burundi, Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Uganda. Clinicians should discuss mpox prevention and risk strategies with any traveler, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, anticipating sexual activity while visiting these countries, the CDC stated. This includes beginning the 2-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series at least 6 weeks before departure to build up immunity, the agency added.

Complementing these guidelines, the US National Institutes of Health released a new list of priorities for mpox research. The agenda includes several main priorities, including increasing knowledge of the different virus strains that cause mpox; advancing both existing and new treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies; and bolstering detection to make it easier to track the virus as well as care for those who have it.