Mpox Cases Include Children and Infants

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today published a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that confirmed children and infants have been infected with the mpox virus.

From May 17 to December 31, 2022, the CDC reported that 45 children aged ≤12 years were diagnosed with mpox.

And three were less than one week old. These infants likely had perinatal exposures.

The vaccination status (JYNNEOS®) of these children was not disclosed.

The CDC stated on June 9, 2023, when caring for a child with mpox, direct contact with the child’s rash should be avoided, and gloves should be worn. In addition, postexposure prophylaxis (TPOXX®) should be considered for all household members.

On May 18, 2023, the CDC confirmed TPOXX might be used for non-variola orthopoxvirus infection (e.g., mpox) under a CDC-held Expanded Access Investigational New Drug Protocol for children weighing at least 3 kg.

However, mpox postexposure prophylaxis efficacy is unstudied.

Additional mpox research was updated in June 2023.