US authorities declared a state of emergency in response to the spread of monkeypox, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The move aims to accelerate the vaccination campaign, improve data collection on cases and vaccines, and simplify clinical decisions for doctors treating patients.
Health Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the public health rationale during a Thursday briefing, urging Americans to recognize the seriousness of monkeypox and to take personal responsibility in the fight against the virus.
Officials stated that ongoing monitoring is essential to prevent the virus from reaching a level where it becomes endemic. The country has reported more than 6,600 confirmed cases so far.
New York State accounts for about a quarter of cases, though it did not declare a state of emergency last week. California and Illinois were among states that did announce emergencies on the previous Monday.
queues for vaccines
On July 27, Medical Xpress highlighted long lines for smallpox vaccines in New York, driven by a shortage of the two-dose Jynneos vaccine, the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved option for monkeypox. A modernized version of the original smallpox vaccine, ACAM2000, remains in federal stock but has not been approved for use due to safety concerns.
In a city with a population exceeding eight million, only about 17,000 vaccines were available, with the line closing within minutes of opening. Federal authorities have ordered an additional 2.5 million doses of Jynneos to date. Some states have chosen to administer a single dose, contrary to regulators’ two-dose guidance.
WHO decision
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that can spread between people. Most cases are mild, and most patients recover within a few weeks, though some experience complications.
The epidemic, which began amid a European festival attended by many gay and bisexual individuals, had reached about 16,000 infections by mid-2022, according to epidemiologists. Last month the World Health Organization designated monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, with roughly 19,000 cases reported across 75 countries.
The ten most affected countries include Spain, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, and Italy. On July 12, the first case in Russia was identified after a trip to Europe. The patient, who exhibited a characteristic rash, received medical care in St. Petersburg and subsequently recovered and was discharged from the hospital.