King County has seen a rise in Mpox cases, with 45 new cases reported in September 2025, marking the highest single-month tally since the 2022 outbreak. Mpox, a viral infection causing a painful skin rash and flu-like symptoms, can be spread through sexual or close physical contact. Recent infections include more young adults, potentially due to a decline in healthcare messaging and federal support for vaccination. Dr. Tim Menza attributes some of the rise to the younger generation who may not have been sexually active or vaccinated during the initial outbreak. Vaccination is highly encouraged, particularly for those at higher risk.