Monkeypox

The Biden administration has declared monkeypox a public health emergency as cases of the disease continue to spread in the U.S., according to various news reports that said the announcement came during a briefing with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As of August 3, there were a total of 6,617 confirmed monkeypox cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). A CDC map of the outbreak showed that at least one case had been detected in all U.S. states apart from Montana and Wyoming as of Wednesday. "We are prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told reporters, according to NPR. As the U.S. continues to contend with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , though data shows that COVID cases are significantly lower now than they were during the Omicron-driven surge in late 2021 and early 2022, many details … [Read more...] about How does monkeypox spread? Biden declares public health emergency

Two monkeypox patients who died in Spain after developing brain swelling did not have compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses according to a report by the country's Ministry of Health. Two monkeypox-related deaths were reported from Spain on July 29 and 30, marking what were reported to be the first monkeypox deaths in Europe in the current outbreak. As of August 2 there had been a total of 25,391 confirmed monkeypox cases around the world according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with very few deaths outside of Africa where the disease is endemic. Up to now there have been at least four monkeypox-related deaths outside of Africa: Two in Spain, one in Brazil, and one in India. In a report to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), Dr. Isabel Jado, director of Spain's National Center for Microbiology, outlined details of the two deaths that had occurred in the country, including that they developed encephalitis—a swelling of the brain. … [Read more...] about Men who died from monkeypox brain swelling were healthy before virus hit

Three more monkeypox cases have been confirmed in children as the back-to-school season looms. Monkeypox continues to spread rapidly throughout the globe. According to CDC data, 22,141 monkeypox cases have now been reported, since the outbreak first began in May. Most, but not all, monkeypox cases have been concentrated in the gay community, among men who have sex with men. However it spreads primarily through close, physical contact with an infected person, meaning anybody can catch it. Cases in children have been of concern recently, ever since the U.S reported its first two. On July 22, the CDC confirmed that two children had come down with monkeypox in two unrelated cases. Now, Brazil has also reported three more cases in children. Two were recorded in six-year-old girls, and one in a four-year-old boy. Epidemiologist and health economist Eric Feigl-Ding shared the news on Twitter . Feigl-Ding also said Brazil had recorded its first death from the virus, in a … [Read more...] about More monkeypox cases found in kids as school return looms

States of emergency were declared in California and Illinois on Monday over the spread of monkeypox, joining New York which announced its state of emergency on Friday. Across the U.S. 5,811 cases of monkeypox have been detected, out of a global total of over 22,000. Speaking on Monday California Governor Gavin Newsom said the emergency declaration will help his state protect against the virus via vaccination and education. In a statement he commented: "California is working urgently across all levels of government to slow the spread of monkeypox, leveraging our robust testing, contact tracing and community partnerships strengthened during the pandemic to ensure that those most at risk are our focus for vaccines, treatment and outreach. "We'll continue to work with the federal government to secure more vaccines, raise awareness about reducing risk, and stand with the LGBTQ community fighting stigmatization." As a result of Newsom's proclamation, Emergency Medical Services … [Read more...] about Monkeypox state of emergency declared in two more U.S. states

A Georgia woman who caught monkeypox while working as a cashier has said she "did not do anything sexual to contract" it. As of August 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) has reported 26,519 confirmed monkeypox cases across the globe, with 7,102 in the U.S. Monkeypox cases continue to be concentrated within the gay community, among men who have sex with men. Experts keep reiterating, however, that cases are not exclusive to the gay community—the virus spreads through direct, physical contact with an infected person, meaning anybody can catch it. One such person is Camille Seaton—the first woman in Georgia to catch the virus. In Georgia, there have been over 500 monkeypox cases, with WSB-TV reporting that four of these are women. Seaton is a cashier and believes she caught the virus while working, WSB-TV reported. "I just want y'all to know that I did not do anything sexual to contract this disease. This thing is spreading. It's here," Seaton … [Read more...] about Georgia woman with monkeypox says she did nothing sexual to contract virus