Column on Mpox Epidemic Control and Prevention
JU Hao, ZHU Liguo, WANG Xiaochen, LIANG Shuyi, ZHANG Nan, TIAN Hua, BAO Changjun
Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of mpox cases in Jiangsu Province from 2023 to 2024, and to provide insights for epidemic prevention and control. Methods Individual case data for confirmed mpox patients whose current residence was in Jiangsu Province were extracted from China's National Legal Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System for 2023-2024, along with corresponding case questionnaires in the Epidemiological Investigation Information System. Data were collated and descriptively analyzed, and an epidemic curve was plotted using Excel 2016. Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test were used to compare baseline characteristics of mpox cases in 2023 versus 2024, as well as nucleic acid positivity rates among different specimen types. Results The first mpox case in Jiangsu was reported on 12 June 2023. A minor peak occurred from July to September in 2023, after which case numbers declined steadily, remaining at a low, fluctuating level from April to December 2024. By 31 December 2024, a total of 158 cases had been reported, with no severe or fatal cases. Most cases were male (99.4%, 157/158), men who have sex with men (95.6%, 151/158), 20 to <40 years old (82.3%, 130/158), houseworkers or unemployed (44.3%, 70/158), and unmarried (68.4%, 108/158). Histories of HIV and Treponema pallidum infection were present in 49.4% (78/158) and 26.6% (42/158) of patients, respectively. There were no significant differences between 2023 and 2024 cases in terms of gender, age, occupation, marital status, men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV infection status, or syphilis history (P>0.05). The median incubation period of mpox was 8.0 (5.0, 11.0) days, and the predominant clinical symptoms were rash (91.1%, 144/158), fever (60.8%, 96/158), and lymphadenopathy (34.2%, 54/158). Transmission routes included MSM contact, heterosexual contact, daily life contact, and exposure to contaminated objects, with MSM contact accounting for 89.2% (141/158) of infections. Most mpox cases in Jiangsu Province were sporadic (90.5%, 143/158) and were mainly identified through self-initiated medical consultation (93.7%, 148/158). The median time intervals from illness onset to first medical visit and to diagnosis were 3.0 (1.0, 6.0) days and 7.8 (5.6, 11.3) days, respectively. Conclusion Mpox cases in Jiangsu Province were predominantly sporadic, mainly transmitted through MSM contact, and largely detected via self-initiated consultation. Clinical symptoms were relatively mild, characterized chiefly by fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy. Targeted health education for high-risk groups such as MSM and continuous surveillance of mpox should be strengthened.