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Updated: Sept. 15, 2025

Mpox

While the 2022 mpox outbreak has been declared over and the declared public health emergency has ended, low-level transmission of mpox is still occurring in the U.S.

Mpox transmission may still occur within South Carolina.

Providers should continue to test patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of mpox and offer or recommend mpox vaccination as part of routine STD care.

In addition, DPH strongly recommends that people receive both doses of the mpox vaccination prior to activities that could lead to high-risk contact. There is some protection after the first dose, but the best protection occurs two weeks after the second dose. Talk to your health care provider to get a prescription for the mpox vaccine.

Educational Materials

The public, community partners, healthcare providers and others can share these materials to help increase awareness of and reduce exposure to mpox in South Carolina.

What Everyone Needs to Know

These materials provide information about what mpox is, its symptoms, and what you can do.

Clinical Resources

The fact sheet is for health care providers and contains information about how Mpox presents, testing, treatment, and reporting cases to DPH. Health care providers should contact their local health department for mpox consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mpox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks. Mpox, is a reportable condition in South Carolina as a novel infectious agent.

Mpox spreads between people primarily through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or bodily fluids. Mpox can spread during intimate contact between people, including sex, kissing, hugging, or talking closely; and touching fabrics and objects that were used by a person with mpox, such as bedding and towels. It can also be spread through coughing or saliva from a person with mpox.

  • Painful skin rash
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms usually appear 7–14 days after exposure.

mpox

If you are concerned that you may have mpox or have had prolonged close contact with someone who has received a mpox diagnosis, please talk to your usual health care provider or if you do not have one, call your local health department or an Urgent Care.

At this time, the risk to the general public is low. Currently, the vast majority of cases are occurring among gay and bisexual men. However, anyone who has prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has mpox is at risk of being infected.