Following an increase in reported cases, the US government has declared a public health emergency due to the epidemic of monkeypox.
The decision will expedite the deployment of vaccines, treatments, and federal funds to combat the virus’ spread.
Following a worldwide increase in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its highest emergency alert less than two weeks ago.
The number of cases has surpassed 6,600 in the United States, according to health experts.
One-fourth of these cases have been reported in the state of New York, which last week declared its state of emergency due to the sickness.
California and Illinois, the states with the next-highest caseloads, declared states of emergency earlier this week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, more than 26,000 cases have been confirmed globally this year.
Some specialists in public health have raised worry that the emergency designation could exacerbate the disease’s stigma. Although anyone can contract monkeypox, the outbreak has primarily affected men who engage in sexual activity with other men.
However, it is not a strictly sexually transmitted infection (STI), as it can also be transferred through close contact with an infected individual.
The virus causes pimple-like rashes, which can be exceedingly irritating and painful, to grow and spread throughout the body, along with additional consequences.
Infections are often minor and resolve on their own without therapy or hospitalization in adult patients; however, the WHO has warned that small children have a greater mortality risk from the condition.
Officials in the United States and internationally have recommended that those at the highest risk of exposure, including some gay and bisexual males and some healthcare workers, receive the vaccine with priority.
President Joe Biden was under increasing pressure to do more to curb the spread of monkeypox.
According to public health professionals, the disease is most prevalent among guys who have sex with other men.
In places with a large LGBT population, such as San Francisco, politicians have asserted that not enough is being done to safeguard the community.
Unlike when Covid-19 emerged, vaccinations for monkeypox already exist. However, many individuals who have tried to obtain the vaccine have reported standing in lengthy queues only to be told that there are insufficient supplies.
Some have questioned whether Mr. Biden should have declared a nationwide state of emergency sooner and whether this will be sufficient to halt the disease’s spread.
On Monday, San Francisco declared a public health emergency. In doing so, the mayor evoked memories of the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic, when she claims the city was neglected.
“We are in a terrifying situation,” she stated.
The announcement was made on Thursday in response to concerns that immunizations and treatments for monkeypox are in low supply nationwide.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it has ordered over five million additional pills to be given through May of next year.
This week, the White House also announced the formation of a team to coordinate and manage the national response to the outbreak of monkeypox.
Included is Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a New York physician who has successfully spearheaded attempts to stem the spread of HIV in the United States.
