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President Biden continues to improve after contracting COVID-19 as the United States faces a new health threat. Days ago, the head of the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international proportions. But is the US prepared to face a new outbreak of infections?
On Saturday, the head of the World Health Organization declared the virus, which is typical of central African countries and has infected more than 16,000 people in 75 countries, a public health emergency of global proportions. Monkeypox was discovered in the United States in May, and 3,000 cases have been reported so far.
Previously declared emergencies by the WHO are the coronavirus pandemic, the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the Zika virus that hit Latin America in 2016.
The White House’s lead coordinator for pandemics, Dr. Ashish Jha, says the country is prepared
“We will continue to work to increase testing, vaccines and treatment and make sure Americans understand the risks and challenges this virus poses and what the administration is doing to address the situation.”
Symptoms are flu-like, with skin rashes that look like pimples or blisters. Doctors say this is not an ongoing pandemic. Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is only spread through close contact and there is a vaccine against the virus.
President Biden’s administration says it hopes to provide more than 6.9 million doses of the vaccine by mid-2023. Health authorities are providing more than 1.7 million doses for free to treat the disease.
Coordinator Ashish Jha said the administration is also looking to speed up a global response, though he did not elaborate when asked by VOA.
“We continue to have close partnerships with many countries to build laboratory capacity, just like testing in the United States. It is important that other countries also have these capabilities. Monkeypox has spread to many countries. We are in constant contact with our European colleagues and other countries of the world. I think that declaring a public health emergency will further stimulate the global response.”
Doctors say it doesn’t matter what the outbreak is called, but it’s imperative that health systems stop the disease, which actually originated in rodents, not monkeys.
Specialists have advised world vaccination campaigns. So far, the most cases in the United States and Europe have been among men who have had intimate relationships with men.
Dr. Amesh Adalja is a researcher at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
“If the US government wants to be serious about controlling monkeypox, they need to find a way to control the origin of the virus. This will require more widespread vaccination in countries where the virus is typical. This is a legitimate action to take at this point.”
Last Thursday, President Biden announced that he had been infected with COVID-19. The day before, the president said that he was getting better and that he was continuing his work in isolation from others.
“Every day I feel better. I have a bit of a sore throat and cough, but I’m getting better. I have a bit of a sore throat but actually more in my nose than anywhere else. I think I am on the way to complete recovery, God willing.”
The president said he hopes to return to work in the Oval Office by the end of the week./VOA
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