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Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a public health emergency in response to the growing monkeypox outbreak in the U.S.
The U.S. now confirmed more than 7,000 cases, the largest outbreak anywhere in the world. The emergency declaration could help streamline the U.S. response, which has come under criticism for moving too slowly, and raise public awareness about the risks posed by the virus.
Although the federal government has mobilized 1.1 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine, demand is still outstripping supply. The vaccination campaign right now is focused on 1.7 million gay and bisexual men who face the greatest risk from monkeypox because they are either HIV positive or taking medicine to reduce their chances of contracting HIV.
Monkeypox is rarely fatal and no deaths have been reported in the U.S. But people with weakened immune systems, such as those who are HIV positive, are at higher risk of developing more severe symptoms. The virus results in a rash that can cause excruciating pain.
As infections rise, there is growing concern that monkeypox could begin to spread more widely in the U.S., particularly as sexually active university students return to campus in the fall. Monkeypox is primarily spreading through skin-to-skin contact during sex right now.
New York state health officials are also sounding the alarm about a possible polio outbreak outside New York City. An unvaccinated adult caught the virus last month and suffered paralysis. Polio has also been detected in sewage samples from suburbs outside the city.
State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said the confirmed polio case is likely just the tip of the iceberg. She urged everyone who is unvaccinated to immediately get their shots.
Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to me at spencer.kimball@nbcuni.com.
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