International
August 05, 2022

The US government has declared monkeypox a public health emergency, more than a week after the World Health Organization(WHO) qualified the outbreak as a global emergency.
As of Thursday, the US has confirmed more than 6,600 cases of monkeypox, nearly 25 per cent of the global total of 25,800 so far.
A public health emergency triggers a grant that frees up more resources for different aspects of the federal response. In addition, HHS secretaries may contract for treatment and other necessary medical supplies and equipment, and assist hospital emergency services.
Majorly, the top three states in terms of confirmed monkeypox cases in the country are New York, California and Illinois and have already declared states of emergency in response to the outbreak. Some cities including New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, have also issued their own state of emergency declarations.
Despite Thursday’s declaration, HHS officials hoped to prevent monkeypox from becoming endemic in the country. But some experts have warned that the only way the outbreak can’t be contained only if the authorities act faster and more effectively.
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