US to declare monkeypox public health emergency

Fast News

Biden administration has been criticised for the pace of vaccine availability for monkeypox, while the White House said it has helped to boost domestic diagnostic capacity to 80,000 tests per week.

Clinics in major cities like New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot monkeypox vaccine to meet demand. (Richard Vogel / AP)

The US will declare a public health emergency to bolster the federal response to the outbreak of monkeypox that already has infected more than 6,600 Americans, two people familiar with the matter have said.

The announcement will free up federal funding and resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body. The people spoke on Thursday on the condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement.

The declaration comes as the the Biden administration has faced criticism over the pace of vaccine availability for monkeypox.

Clinics in major cities like New York and San Francisco say they haven’t received enough of the two-shot vaccine to meet demand and some have had to stop offering the second dose of the vaccine to ensure supply of first doses. 

The White House said it has made more than 1.1 million doses of vaccine available and has helped to boost domestic diagnostic capacity to 80,000 tests per week.

READ MORE: WHO declares monkeypox a global health emergency

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Can infect 'anyone'

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing.

But health officials emphasise that the virus can infect anyone.

The announcement comes three days after the Biden administration named top officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to serve as the White House coordinators to combat the monkeypox outbreak.

News of the expected declaration was first reported Thursday by Politico.

READ MORE: Monkeypox 'epicentre' New York City declares public health emergency

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/us-to-declare-monkeypox-public-health-emergency/?feed_id=6645&_unique_id=62ec197697a39