WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- State health officials have confirmed the first cases of mpox this year, as an uptick of infections is reported nationwide.

Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS) says a cluster of mpox cases was recently identified in southeastern and northern Wisconsin. 

The virus has circulated at low levels since 2022, according to DHS. As of May 26, five mpox cases have been confirmed in Wisconsin this year.

While risk to the general public is low, DHS is asking Wisconsinites at higher risk to talk to a health care provider about vaccination. Providers may recommend a person get vaccinated if they are:

• Gay, bisexual, or a man who has sex with men including people who were assigned female at birth and have had more than on sex partner in the last six months.
• Traveling and have a sexual exposure with someone in a different area.
• In close contact with someone with mpox, including health care workers where exposure is possible.

For free, confidential support finding resources or health care, dial 211 or 877-947-2211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. 

More information can be found here.