Monkeypox Cases Surge... New York City Declares Public Health Emergency

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] New York City declared a public health emergency on the 30th (local time) due to a rapid increase in monkeypox cases.

According to the Associated Press, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that emergency measures are necessary as 150,000 citizens are at risk of contracting monkeypox. New York State is the fastest spreading area of monkeypox in the United States, with cases currently concentrated in New York City.

Mayor Adams announced that the city will implement measures to slow the spread of infection in accordance with health regulations. He added, "We will continue to work with federal partners to secure more vaccines as quickly as possible."

Earlier, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state-level emergency. According to the CDC's state-by-state infection count, New York State reported 1,345 cases as of the 28th of this month, followed by California with 799 cases.

Although infections in the U.S. are rapidly increasing, additional vaccine supplies are expected only by the end of October, raising concerns that a vaccine shortage could last for three months.