The state and city government is declaring a health emergency after the area was identified as one of the “epidemics of the outbreak” of monkeypox in the United States. Local authorities estimate that “approximately 150,000 New Yorkers could be exposed” to the virus. “This declaration, effective immediately, will allow the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to issue emergency commissioner’s orders under the City of New York’s health code. New York and to amend health code provisions to provide measures to help slow the spread,” Mayor Eric Adams and DOHMH Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said in a joint statement. They noted that the two departments are working “with partners at all levels of government” to obtain additional doses of monkeypox vaccine as quickly as possible and “to protect New Yorkers during this growing epidemic.” New York also declared a state of emergency on Friday.The state has more than 1,380 confirmed cases of the disease, according to the state health department.Other US leaders have sounded the alarm regarding smallpox of the monkey, while the number of infections continues to increase and the supply of vaccines does not meet the demand. San Francisco declared a state of emergency last Thursday due to “rapidly rising cases” and high demand for vaccines, although the measure does not take effect until tomorrow. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that the Jynneos vaccine, specific against this disease, should be offered as a priority to all groups at risk. This includes people who have had close physical contact with an infected person, an infected sexual partner, or have had sex in an environment where an outbreak of monkeypox has been identified. jps (EFE)
Questions, criticisms and suggestions? Talk to us
