UNITED STATES: The United States Health Department and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced that the continuous spread of the monkeypox virus in the United States has resulted in it being declared a Public Health Emergency. As a result of this stance, it would strengthen the Biden-Harris Administration’s response, acknowledging the vast spread of the virus.
This announcement comes soon after Robert Fenton of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was appointed as White House National Monkeypox Response Coordinator and Dr Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as White House National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator by President Joe Biden.
In a press conference, Secretary Becerra stated, “Ending the monkeypox outbreak is a critical priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. We are taking our responsibility to the next level by declaring a public health emergency,” she continued, “With today’s declaration, we can further strengthen and accelerate our response further.”
Robert Fenton, White House National Monkeypox Response Coordinator, stated, “President Biden has called on us to explore every option on the table to combat the monkeypox outbreak and protect communities at risk,” he went on to say, “We are applying lessons learned from the battles we’ve fought – from COVID response to wildfires to measles, and will tackle this outbreak with the urgency this moment demands.”
The monkeypox virus is a member of the smallpox group. It is not as severe, and the chances of infections are low. The virus occurs mainly in remote parts of central and west African countries, typically those near tropical rainforests. However, the spike in the number of people infected with monkeypox out of the African region with no travel links would mean the virus is now spreading through the community.
The symptoms of monkeypox include rashes that may be seen on or near the genitals or anus and on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash is said to go through several stages, including scabs; before it heals, the rash initially looks like pimples or blisters and can be very painful or itchy.
Other symptoms of the virus may include Fever, Chills, Swollen lymph nodes, Exhaustion, Muscle aches and backache, Headache, and Respiratory symptoms, including sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.
Monkeypox symptoms generally commence within three weeks post-exposure to the virus. Thus far, the treatment for the virus is a vaccination against smallpox which has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing the monkeypox virus.
Also Read: California Declares ‘State of Emergency’ Amid Monkeypox Breakout
