Mpox (monkeypox) virus, which startled epidemiologists when it appeared suddenly in many non-endemic countries in May 2022, has subsided dramatically in the United States. The infection also is decreasing rapidly in affected regions of the globe.
As of Feb. 1, 2023, the average U.S. daily case count was two, down from a peak of 624 daily cases on Aug. 2, 2022. Since the outbreak began there have been 30,123 cases in the United States, including 28 deaths.1 In addition to public health interventions and vaccinations, the primary risk group for transmission — gay and bisexual men — changed their sexual behavior.
“In an online survey of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men conducted during August 5-15, 2022, respondents reported changing their behavior because of the mpox outbreak: 48% reported reducing their number of sex partners, 50% reported reducing one-time sexual encounters, and 50% reported reducing sex with partners met on dating apps or at sex venues,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mpox. U.S. mpox case trends reported to CDC. Feb. 1, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/mpx-trends.html
