The federal government declared a public health emergency on Thursday to help respond to the monkeypox outbreak that has affected more than 7,100 Americans.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra addressed the emergency declaration on August 4. He said, “We’re prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus.”
The declaration could ease the process of obtaining emergency funds, enable health agencies to gather more information about cases and vaccinations, expedite the delivery of vaccines, and make it simpler for physicians to prescribe medical treatment.
Monkeypox was classified as a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month, a category saved for the most severe global disease outbreaks.
Dallas County reported its first case of monkeypox in June. As of August 4, the county has 209 confirmed cases and 29 suspected cases.
The virus is predominantly seen among men who engage in sexual activity with other men. However, they are not the only individuals who can contract the disease, according to Chris Van Deusen, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services.
People of all ages can contract monkeypox in the United States, but the average patient is around 35 years old. Five cases of pediatric infections have been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: two in California, two in Indiana, and one infant who is not a citizen of the United States but tested positive in Washington, D.C.
Health officials have warned that monkeypox can spread through direct contact with an infected person’s wounds, scabs, or bodily fluids. It can also spread during prolonged face-to-face contact, such as during sexual activity, kissing, or cuddling, through respiratory secretions, or to a fetus when pregnant.
As of August 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sent more than 602,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine to states and other jurisdictions, up 266,000 from the previous week. HHS has given states and other jurisdictions a total of 1.1 million doses, and new doses become available when the current shipment is exhausted.
According to HHS, the delivery of an extra 150,000 doses has been quickened. Originally scheduled to arrive in November, the doses will reach the U.S. next month.