When is this updated and what is the source of the data? Our community transmission level is updated by staff each weekday (as needed). If the transmission level changes over a weekend, this graphic is updated the next business day. Info for this graphic comes from this CDC site.

Mpox Information Hub (opens in a new window)

Why the name change? According to a press release from the World Health Organization, "Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out.

When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatizing language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO. In several meetings, public and private, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns and asked WHO to propose a way forward to change the name." 

Lewis and Clark Public Health will begin shifting our messaging from the term 'monkeypox' to 'mpox' in accordance with this new guidance from WHO. 

Where does this information come from and how often is it updated? Air quality levels reported above are provided automatically by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and are updated approximately every hour. For more details and information please visit the AirNow.gov website.