Mpox

Mpox is a viral infection first identified in 1958. Historically, cases were rarely seen in people who have not traveled to Central or West Africa, where the virus is endemic (regularly found). However, since May 2022, there has been an uptick in cases among people who have not visited Africa, including in Europe and North America, and here in California. Currently, the risk of getting mpox is low for the public. For more information, visit CDPH's Mpox homepage and Q&A.   

New Mpox Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant Request for Applications (RFA) No. 22-10929 is open. The purpose of the mpox CBO Grant is to provide eligible CBO reimbursement for vaccine administration and vaccine outreach/education activities.

How it's Spread

Mpox is primarily spread by close physical contact (hugging, kissing, intimate/ sexual contact) with someone who has symptoms. It can also spread by sharing items (clothing, towels, bedding) used by someone who has symptoms or through lengthy face-to-face interaction with someone who has symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and/or a distinct rash that can be bumpy or fluid-filled on the face, body, genitals, arms, and legs. Rash and sores may also be limited to one part of the body.  

If you have symptoms, isolate from others and contact a health care provider right away to get tested and learn about treatment options. If you've been exposed, reach out to a health care provider or your local health department to ask about vaccination.

Toolkit Contents

Use this toolkit to help your audience understand mpox. This material is downloadable and shareable. 

• Fact Sheets
• Social Media - English
• Let's Talk Mpox Q&A Campaign <--Click on this link to access the mpox Q&A social media campaign
  
• General Information
  
• Social Media - Spanish
• Videos

Fact Sheets 

​ What is Mpox? 2-page 8.5x11 English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Armenian (PDF) | Chinese, Simplified (PDF) | Chinese, Traditional (PDF) | Hmong (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Korean (PDF) | Punjabi (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Tagalog (PDF) | Thai (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF) 1-page 8.5x16  English (PDF)	What Gay & Bisexual Men Need to Know About Mpox English (PDF | JPG), Arabic (PDF | JPG), Armenian (PDF | JPG), | Cambodian (PDF| JPG), Chinese, Simplified (PDF | JPG), Chinese, Traditional (PDF | JPG), Farsi (PDF | JPG), Spanish (PDF | JPG) Tagalog (PDF | JPG), Vietnamese (PDF | JPG)
​ Safer Sex & Mpox English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Armenian (PDF) | Chinese, Simplified (PDF) | Chinese, Traditional (PDF) | Hmong (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Korean (PDF) | Punjabi (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Tagalog (PDF) | Thai (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)	​ Pregnancy & Mpox English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF) | Arabic (PDF) | Armenian (PDF) | Chinese, Simplified (PDF) | Chinese, Traditional (PDF) | Hmong (PDF) | Khmer (PDF) | Korean (PDF) | Punjabi (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Tagalog (PDF) | Thai (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)

Other Resources:

Social Media Messaging

Share the following images and messages on social media.

Click on each image to enlarge, then right click and "save as."

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​Suggested Messaging: Do you have a new or unexplained rash, sores, or other symptoms of #mpox? Contact a health care provider immediately about testing and treatment options and avoid contact with others. Learn more about mpox at go.cdph.ca.gov/mpox

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​ ​Suggested Messaging: How can you lower the chance of getting mpox at places like parties, clubs, and festivals? First, consider how much close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the event you plan to attend. If you feel sick or have any rashes or sores, do not attend any in-person gatherings, and see a healthcare provider right away. Learn more about mpox and how you can protect yourself and others: https://bit.ly/MonkeypoxQA

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Suggested Messaging:

Mpox symptoms can include flu-like illness and a rash and sores throughout the body. The virus spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact (hugging, kissing, sexual/intimate contact) and sharing materials (bedding, towels, clothing) with someone who has symptoms.

If you notice symptoms, avoid in-person contact with others and talk to a health care provider about testing and treatment options. If needing to be around others, cover sores and wear a mask to avoid spreading the virus.

For more information about mpox, visit go.cdph.ca.gov/Mpox

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​Suggested Messaging: If you’ve been exposed to mpox: Call a health care provider or your local health department as soon as you know you’ve been exposed. If you’ve had a high-risk exposure (like from someone you live with or direct contact with a rash/sore), the vaccine should be given within 4 days from exposure to help prevent disease. If given between 4–14 days after exposure, the vaccine may reduce symptoms but may not prevent disease. Monitor for any new symptoms for 21 days after your last exposure. If you develop symptoms, reach out to a health care provider. For more information, visit go.cdph.ca.gov/Mpox

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​	​Suggested Messaging: The risk of getting mpox is still low. However, it's important to be aware of symptoms, especially for those at higher risk for severe illness. If you notice symptoms, like flu-like illness and a rash and sores, avoid close contact with others and reach out to a health care provider right away about testing. For more information, visit go.cdph.ca.gov/Mpox