Fulton County Officials Warn of Ongoing Mpox Spread

Ongoing Concerns About Mpox in Atlanta

Since the global outbreak of mpox in 2022, the number of cases in the United States has significantly decreased. However, health officials in Fulton County are reminding residents that the disease is not entirely gone from Atlanta. At a recent meeting of the Fulton County Board of Health, Sasha Smith, the county’s director of epidemiology, emphasized that mpox remains a concern as cases continue to appear sporadically.

Smith noted that during the period from July 2024 to June 2025, there were 48 reported cases of mpox in the county. She highlighted that there was a peak in cases during October and March, indicating that the virus is still circulating within the community. “It’s still circulating in the community. I think that’s the important part,” she said.

Mpox is caused by a virus that belongs to the same family as the virus responsible for smallpox. The primary symptom is a rash that can appear on various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or genitals. Other symptoms may include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.

During the 2022 outbreak, Fulton County reported 818 cases. After the availability of vaccines for at-risk populations in late summer 2022, the number of cases dropped sharply to 31. However, the number of cases increased again in 2024, reaching 48 in the following year.

Disproportionate Impact on Certain Communities

One of the ways people can contract mpox is through prolonged human-to-human contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or touching areas of the body that have sores. During the 2022 outbreak, the LGBTQ community was particularly affected, with gay and bisexual men of color being especially vulnerable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black individuals made up 12% of the U.S. population but accounted for 33% of mpox cases at the time. In Georgia, the disparity was also evident, with Black, gay men being disproportionately impacted. In 2022, more than 80% of mpox cases in the state involved Black men, while about 30% of Georgia’s population was Black.

Of the 48 cases reported in Fulton County from July 2024 to June 2025, 96% were among males. Smith pointed out that while women can also contract the infection, the majority of cases have historically involved gay and bisexual men.

Vulnerable Populations and Public Health Concerns

Justin Smith, director of the Campaign to End AIDS at the Positive Impact Health Center in Atlanta, noted that the communities most affected by mpox are Black, gay men living with HIV, particularly those experiencing homelessness. He explained that these groups often face worse outcomes due to weakened immune systems and limited access to resources that support their health.

The CDC reports that people with HIV are overrepresented in mpox cases in the United States and are at higher risk of severe illness or death if they contract the virus. In Georgia, 60% of mpox cases in 2022 involved individuals who were HIV-positive.

HIV researchers and advocates have expressed concerns about potential budget cuts to HIV surveillance, which could negatively impact the state’s ability to address the HIV epidemic. Justin Smith warned that these cuts could also hinder the response to mpox cases.

“To me, the danger that we face as we continue to reduce the amount of resources that flow into our public health system, we will have a system that is less well-equipped to be able to respond to health threats in the future,” he said.

Conclusion

While the number of mpox cases has declined since the 2022 outbreak, health officials remain vigilant. They emphasize the importance of vaccination for at-risk individuals and highlight the need for continued surveillance and support for vulnerable communities. As public health resources face challenges, maintaining a strong response system is crucial to preventing future outbreaks and protecting those most at risk.