US Government Declares Monkeypox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency Following Growing Cases

The monkeypox outbreak in the United States has become a public health emergency following an announcement by the White House on Thursday, August 4. The Biden administration's declaration signifies the growing threat of the monkeypox virus and its infection after a spike in related cases in recent weeks.

The emergency declaration will pave the way for the access of public emergency funds dedicate to the vaccination, treatment, and health measures for the control and suppression of the infectious disease. It will also allow the prioritization of any matters relating to monkeypox infections, including patients with confirmed cases and suspected cases.

The White House declaration came after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox global outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on July 23. Regardless of the separate announcements, all public health emergencies highlight the magnitude of the once-rare disease, which was only endemic in some parts of Africa.

After the first reported cases in countries that has no history of monkeypox in early May, infections have spread to several dozens of countries worldwide, including nations that historically had related cases. Since then, thousands of people have been infected and health restrictions are increasing over fears it could coincide to the level of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Health Emergency Declaration

The Biden administration on Thursday considers that the infection of more than 6,600 people across the US is already a public health emergency, as cited by the BBC. The decision is expected to make it easier for the public, medical facilities, and local authorities to top federal funding to combat monkeypox.

The declaration will allow the federal government to move faster not only combating the outbreak but also against the "stigma" against the community of men who have sex with men, according to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the deputy coordinator of the White House National Monkeypox Response team.

Amid localized pressure, the said team was recently created to address the growing monkeypox threat. With this, most cases have been attributed to men who engaged in sexual intercourse with other men, as previously reported by health officials.

The USA Today also reports the Biden Administration is also seeking available vaccinations, through supplies of the limited Jynneos vaccine.

What is Monkeypox?

The WHO states that monkeypox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a viral zoonotic infection that can spread animals to humans and between person to person. Infection can be transmitted through direct physical contact and sexual intercourse.

The most common symptoms of the monkeypox disease are the following:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Low energy
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rash in genital or anus area

Monkeypox Global Cases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded a total of 26,864 confirmed monkeypox cases, found in 81 countries and seven other countries with no historical reports of the disease.

The latest tally is based on CDC's 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak Global Map as of Thursday 5:00 p.m. EDT (local time).