Clade I Mpox Outbreak Updates

On September 23, CDC released a Health Alert Network (HAN) Advisory with prevention strategies for mpox and U.S. travelers visiting countries with ongoing clade I mpox virus (MPXV) outbreaks.  

There are no reported cases of clade I MPXV in Virginia or the United States at this time.

Healthcare providers should continue to follow CDC’s current vaccine guidance to prevent clade II MPXV infection, which continues to circulate in the United States. This will also help protect against clade I MPXV. 

During pre-travel health visits, healthcare providers are recommended to:  

✅ Discuss mpox prevention and risk reduction strategies with all travelers to countries with ongoing human-to-human transmission of clade I MPXV. 

✅ Educate patients about the risk for mpox exposure through sexual contact (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) associated with clade I MPXV. 

✅ Recommend the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine series to adults, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, if they are traveling to a country where clade I MPXV is spreading between people AND they expect to take part in any of the following: 

• Sex with a new partner  
• Sex at a commercial sex venue, like a sex club or bathhouse  
• Sex in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade  
• Sex in association with a large public event, such as a rave, party, or festival 

For more information about mpox, visit VDH’s mpox webpage. 

Tuberculosis Screening and Vaccination

➡️ In Virginia, a physical exam is required before entering public kindergarten or elementary school. This exam includes tuberculosis screening, vaccination, and other elements. 

➡️ It is recommended that tuberculosis screening and any necessary TB testing be conducted on the same day as administering live vaccines. This avoids the four-week waiting period that must occur if TB testing needs to be completed after the administration of a live virus vaccine. This waiting period can delay a child's school entry and pose a risk to their well-being due to extended school absences. 

➡️ Clinicians should consider individual medical and social risk factors when screening for TB during school physicals. For instance, a child’s parents or caretakers may have come from areas with a high incidence of TB and could expose the child to TB.  

➡️ For more guidance on TB screening, reach out to the VDH TB Program at Tuberculosis@vdh.virginia.gov. 

➡️ At this time, there are no reports of H5N1 bird flu cases in cattle or people in Virginia. The risk of H5N1 infection for the general public remains low.    

➡️ VDH recommends that healthcare providers encourage people who have job-related exposure to infected or potentially infected cattle, birds, or other animals get vaccinated for seasonal influenza.   

➡️ The seasonal influenza vaccine will not protect against H5N1. But it can help prevent a person from becoming ill with seasonal flu or becoming coinfected with a seasonal flu virus and H5N1.