The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently acknowledged that in addition to reporting cases with a history of foreign travel, there is also evidence that monkeypox has been transmitted natively in the United States. In addition, the United States is considering expanding the scope of the vaccination population, as more and more monkeypox cases are no longer possible to trace the source.
Reuters reported
Comprehensive Reuters and other reports, on June 23, local time, CDC's Dr. Agam Rao said at the group meeting that although these monkeypox mainly occur in men who have had male male behavior, women can also be infected. In addition, reports of transmission among family members and close contacts have been received.
"We have learned that some close contacts around the world have become infected by sharing bedding such as quilts and towels with family members," Rao said.
According to CDC data, 173 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 24 states and the District of Columbia, including 5 female infections. About 30 people in New York City also tested positive for monkeypox virus, but the specific source of infection is not yet known.
Just earlier in the day of the 23rd, New York City just opened a temporary clinic to vaccinate people over the age of 18 who have had high-risk behaviors in the past 14 days, including gay and bisexual men, the Jynneos smallpox vaccine developed by the Danish company. The vaccine was one of two recommended in last month's CDC monkeypox prevention guidelines and is currently aimed at laboratory workers and people with high-risk behaviors.
People lining up in New York City for a vaccine Screenshot of CBS News report
Footage from the scene showed hundreds of people lining up outside the physical health clinic in Chelsea, New York, waiting for a vaccine. One queuer told CBS reporters worriedly, "The gay community is more concerned about monkeypox vaccines than heterosexuals." Many of us have heard about monkeypox, and I think if I don't hurry up with vaccinations now, it's hard to guarantee that I won't get infected after seeing a lot of friends at the LGBT Pride Parade in New York City on the 26th. ”
It is understood that the entire New York City currently supplies only 1,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine, but due to the demand exceeding expectations, the local has urgently closed the appointment channel. New York officials said appointments were all full by next Monday, though they were trying to expand supplies to get more vaccines from the national stockpile. Federal health officials also mentioned on the 23rd that CDC is cooperating with many states and local health departments in the United States to expand the eligibility for monkeypox vaccination, mainly because more and more monkeypox cases in the United States have been unable to carry out circulation traceability.
According to public information, monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection, which is mainly clinically manifested as fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy, mainly prevalent in Central and West Africa. However, since May 2022, a large number of cases of monkeypox have been detected in some other countries, and human-to-human transmission has occurred. The first of these clusters outside Africa appeared in the UK on 13 May, when three family clusters were reported and there was no recent history of travel outside the local area.
Monkeypox viruses are similar to smallpox viruses that have now been eradicated. Pictured 丨 United Nations website
After the United Kingdom, non-endemic countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa have also found monkeypox cases, and on June 21, South Korea reported 2 suspected cases of monkeypox, both of which were imported and subsequently confirmed, which is the first time that an east Asian country has reported a monkeypox outbreak. According to Reuters statistics, the number of confirmed and suspected outbreaks outside Africa has exceeded 3,000, mainly men who have sex with men, and no deaths have been reported. In mainland Africa, 1500 cases have also been reported since the beginning of 2022, including 66 deaths.
On the other hand, at the first meeting of the World Health Organization's Emergency Committee on the global monkeypox outbreak held on the 23rd, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the human-to-human transmission of monkeypox is ongoing and the severity "may be underestimated". Particularly in the African region, he said, "these cases are rarely confirmed and their situation is poorly understood." While the epidemiology and branch of the virus may differ in these cases, this is a situation that cannot be ignored. ”
Cases of monkeypox have been reported in many european countries. Figure 丨CDC
"Although most cases in newly affected countries have so far been detected among men who have sex with men, WHO has been calling for enhanced surveillance in the wider community," Tedros said. He believes that all countries must remain vigilant in this regard and strengthen their capacity to prevent further spread of monkeypox.
According to the WHO website, the members of the committee may announce their decision on whether the monkeypox disease outbreak constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC) as early as the 24th. If the WHO declares monkeypox a PHIC incident, it means considering the outbreak an "extraordinary event.". The last "public health emergency of international concern" was on 30 January 2020, when WHO declared COVID-19 to constitute a public health emergency of international concern.
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