MPOX (Monkeypox) Information

Information about the MPOX virus in the City of St. Louis

Overview

MPOX (formally called monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the MPOX virus. MPOX virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. MPOX symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms but milder, and MPOX  is rarely fatal. MPOX is not related to chickenpox.

As of now, there is no treatment for MPOX. However, antiviral medication for smallpox may be used for people who are likely to get severely ill.

View information from the CDC about MPOX.
View information from the World Health Organization about MPOX.

 

St. Louis Case Count

City of St. Louis Data as of January 5, 2023

Number of confirmed MPOX cases in the City of St. Louis 37 Confirmed case is defined as: lab evidence of virus DNA by PCR or Next-Generation sequencing, OR isolation of virus in culture from clinical specimen.
Number of probable MPOX cases 35 Probable cases indicate detection of Orthopoxvirus DNA by polymerase chain reaction or immunohistochemical or electron microscopy testing methods.

U.S. Case Map as of January 4, 2023

For the latest updates, refer to the CDC's U.S. Map & Case Count site or the State of Missouri's MPOX site.

Education Toolkit

Educational materials produced to share accurate information about MPOX.

MPOX (Monkeypox) Education

Vaccine Information

The MPOX virus continues to spread in the St Louis region and the regional local public health departments are working diligently with local clinic partners to provide MPOX vaccinations. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has recently expanded eligibility for MPOX vaccination to include anyone who is likely to be exposed to MPOX (sometimes referred to as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP). The vaccination is a two-dose series, 28 days apart, and helps prevent the spread of MPOX. 

Anybody who meets any of the criteria below are now eligible for MPOX vaccine: 

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender or nonbinary people who in the past 6 months have had
    • A new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted diseases (i.e., acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) and/or
    • More than one sex partner
  • People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
    • Sex at a commercial sex venue
    • Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where MPOX transmission is occurring (this currently includes the St Louis metro region)
  • Sexual partners of people with the above risks
  • People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
  • People who know one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with MPOX

Vaccines are available at the following locations for those who meet the above criteria. Please bring your insurance card (if you have insurance) and a photo ID to your vaccine appointment. All the locations below will provide vaccination if you do not have insurance.

  • Affinia Healthcare
    • Call 314-814-8700 to set up an appointment
    • Vaccines will be given at their Midtown location at 2900 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
    • Walk-in Vaccinations are also available at the Midtown location on Thursdays 9am-11:45am and Fridays from 9am-2pm
  • Jefferson County Department of Public Health
    • Vaccine appointments available by appointment. Call 636-797-3737 for more information. Vaccines will be provided at the Hillsboro location located at 405 Main Street, Hillsboro, MO 63050
  • St. Charles Department of Public Health
    • Call 636-949-7484 or click this link to schedule your appointment
    • Vaccines will be given at their office at 1650 Boone’s Lick Rd. St. Charles, MO 63301
  • Saint Louis County Department of Public Health
  • SSM Health
    • Call 314-955-9600 to schedule vaccination
    • Vaccines are available at SSM Health locations in Rock Hill, Florissant, Arnold, and O’Fallon
  • Southampton Healthcare
    • Please go to their website https://www.southamptonhealthcare.com/ and click on “Monkeypox Vaccine Sign-up” - they will reach out to you when they have an available appointment
    • Southampton Healthcare is located at 2340 Hampton Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63139 

Symptoms

MPOX symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after infection, but sometimes this can extend to three weeks. You may experience the symptoms listed below:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Rashes
  • Muscle pain/Backaches
  • Fatigue/Exhaustion
  • Swollen lymph nodes behind ears, on the neck, in the groin area, or in the armpits

Anyone can get MPOX if they come into close contact with an infected person. In the 2022 outbreak, the largest number of cases have been documented in sexual networks among men who have sex with men. 

The community should take precautions and limit skin-to-skin contact or intimate contact with anybody who has MPOX. 

Spread and Prevention

MPOX is spread through:

  • direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
  • respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
  • touching objects, fabrics (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the rash or body fluids of someone with MPOX
  • being scratched or bitten by an animal infected with MPOX

MPOX can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.

To prevent contracting MPOX, you should avoid:

  • Skin-to-skin physical contact and intimate contact with a person with MPOX
  • Do not handle, touch, or share utensils, cups, bedding, towels, or clothing of a person diagnosed with MPOX
  • Frequent wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer

News

Videos

Contact

Department of Health

health@stlouis-mo.gov

(314) 612-5100

1520 Market, Room 4051
St. Louis, MO 63103

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Contact the Department of Health

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