Monkeypox in the US Highlights

CNN
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Right here is an summary of monkeypox in the US. In 2022, an epidemic was declared a public well being emergency of worldwide concern by the World Well being Group (WHO). The virus originated in Africa and is the cousin of the smallpox virus.

(Supply: Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention)

Monkeypox is a poxvirus. It often causes sores resembling pimples or blisters and flu-like signs akin to fever. The illness is never deadly.

Monkeypox is transmitted by shut contact. This contains direct bodily contact with lesions in addition to “respiratory secretions” shared via face-to-face interplay and touching objects which were contaminated with monkeypox lesions or fluids. The virus can even go to the fetus via the placenta.

Anybody can get sick from monkeypox, however the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) says greater than 99% of monkeypox instances within the US in the course of the 2022 outbreak had been in males having intercourse with males. Nonetheless, monkeypox is mostly not thought of a sexually transmitted illness.

Monkeypox is often present in West and Central Africa, however different instances have been seen in Europe, together with the UK, and different elements of the world lately. These instances are often linked to worldwide journey or imported animals contaminated with the poxvirus.

The WHO has named two extra virus variants and is working with the Worldwide Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) to rename the monkeypox virus utilizing non-stigmatizing and non-offensive social and cultural nomenclature.

CDC map of monkeypox and variety of instances

WHO state of affairs reviews

1958 – Monkeypox is found when monkeys saved for analysis trigger two outbreaks in Copenhagen, Denmark.

1970 – The primary human case of monkeypox is recorded in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

2003 – A monkeypox outbreak in the US is linked to contaminated prairie canines imported from Ghana and ends in greater than 80 instances.

July 16, 2021 – CDC and native well being officers in Dallas announce they’re investigating a case of monkeypox in a traveler from Nigeria. “The person is a resident of the Metropolis of Dallas who traveled from Nigeria to Dallas, arriving at Love Area Airport on July 9, 2021. The person is hospitalized in Dallas and is in secure situation,” stated the Dallas County Division of Well being and Well being. Private providers. in a report.

Could 17, 2022 – The primary confirmed US case of monkeypox within the 2022 outbreak is reported to the CDC in a traveler who returned from Canada to Massachusetts.

Could 19, 2022 – The WHO reviews that demise charges within the monkeypox outbreak are between 3% and 6%.

Could 23, 2022 – The CDC publicizes the discharge of monkeypox vaccine doses from the nation’s strategic nationwide stockpile for “high-risk people.” In the US, the two-dose Jynneos vaccine is licensed to stop smallpox and particularly to stop monkeypox.

Could 26, 2022 – CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky publicizes that the US is distributing the monkeypox vaccine to states the place instances have been reported and recommends vaccination of these most prone to an infection because of a direct contact with an individual with monkeypox.

June 22, 2022 – The CDC publicizes a partnership with 5 business labs to extend testing capability in the US.

June 23, 2022 – New York Metropolis launches the primary monkeypox vaccination clinic in the US.

June 28, 2022 – The US Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) and the Biden administration announce an enhanced vaccination technique and report that greater than 9,000 vaccine doses have been distributed to this point.

July 22, 2022 – Two American kids contract monkeypox – a primary in the US. In line with the CDC, the 2 instances are unrelated.

July 23, 2022 – WHO declares monkeypox a public well being emergency of worldwide concern, “a unprecedented occasion which can pose a threat to public well being in different nations via the worldwide unfold of the illness and will require a coordinated worldwide response” .

July 27, 2022 – After weeks of restricted monkeypox vaccines, greater than 786,000 extra doses are being made accessible in the US, in line with HHS.

July 29, 2022 – New York declares a state catastrophe emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak.

August 1, 2022 – California and Illinois declare states of emergency. California has reported greater than 800 instances, whereas Illinois has had greater than 500, in line with CDC knowledge.

August 2, 2022 – A monkeypox response staff is created by the Biden administration. President Joe Biden appoints Robert Fenton of the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) to function Nationwide Monkeypox Response Coordinator for the White Home.

August 2, 2022 – A report from Spain’s Nationwide Institute of Microbiology says two males, aged 31 and 44, who died of monkeypox in unrelated instances, each developed encephalitis or mind swelling, which could be triggered by viral infections. Encephalitis is a really uncommon situation identified to be related to monkeypox. It was reported in folks with monkeypox in West Africa and in a affected person in the US in 2003 in the course of the small outbreak linked to imported prairie canines.

August 4, 2022 – The Biden administration declares the monkeypox outbreak a nationwide public well being emergency.

August 5, 2022 – A report printed by the CDC reveals that 94% of the instances concerned males who had current sexual or intimate contact with one other man. Moreover, 54% of the instances concerned Black People and Latinos.

August 9, 2022 – In an effort to stretch the restricted provide of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine, federal well being officers are permitting decrease doses to be administered utilizing a unique injection technique. The brand new injection technique permits healthcare suppliers to manage shallow injections intradermally, between the layers of the pores and skin, with one-fifth of the usual dose as an alternative of subcutaneously, into the pores and skin layer. of pores and skin. fats below the pores and skin, with the very best dose.

August 18, 2022 – The White Home publicizes the acceleration of the HHS vaccine distribution schedule, with the provision of 1.8 million extra doses of the Jynneos vaccine. Extra vaccines shall be distributed to communities internet hosting massive LGBTQI+ occasions.

August 19, 2022 – King County in Washington, which incorporates Seattle, is declaring monkeypox a public well being emergency, with greater than 270 recorded instances.

September 12, 2022 – The primary American demise from monkeypox is confirmed in Los Angeles County, California.