Question:

Can mpox kill you? How deadly is mpox?

Answered by Nikki Regan, MSN, APRN, NP-C:

There are two different mpox variants, Clade I and Clade II. Clade II is the strain circulating in the current worldwide outbreak and is not usually deadly (endemic outbreaks of Clade I, on the other hand, are associated with a higher mortality rate of up to 10%). However, lesions and symptoms of mpox can be very painful and may require hospital care. Mpox also requires you to isolate yourself from others, often for several weeks, which can be difficult. 

Current cases and deaths:
•    As of Sept. 15, there are 24 mpox cases in Douglas County, with no deaths reported
•    In the U.S., there have been over 23,000 mpox cases, with one death reported
•    Worldwide, there have been 59,000 cases, with 20 deaths reported in this 2022 outbreak

If you think you have mpox, call your primary care provider. They can guide you on where to go for testing and treatment. 

Find out how to protect yourself against mpox.