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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The New York City Health Department declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency Saturday afternoon.
A statement released by the department described the health emergency that comes as the city is working to slow and stop the spread of monkeypox.
“Over the past few weeks, we have moved as quickly as possible to expand outreach and access to vaccines and treatment to keep people safe,” the statement states. “New York City is currently the epicenter of the outbreak, and we estimate that approximately 150,000 New Yorkers may currently be at risk for monkeypox exposure.”
Mayor Eric Adams and city Health Department Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan are working with partners at every level of government to obtain as many additional monkeypox vaccine doses as possible, to protect New Yorkers during a “growing outbreak.”
“We will continue to work with our federal partners to secure more doses as soon as they become available. This outbreak must be met with urgency, action, and resources, both nationally and globally, and this declaration of a public health emergency reflects the seriousness of the moment,” according to the statement.
The city health emergency comes a day after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency to combat monkeypox.
The announcement came as monkeypox infection cases statewide reached nearly 1,400 — with many cases originating from New York City, considered to be the epicenter of the virus.
According to the city Health Department, monkeypox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on July 23. On Thursday, the New York State Department of Health declared the monkeypox virus an imminent threat to public health.
Experts have previously said that monkeypox is most easily spread through sex or close contact with an infected person.
The spread has been concentrated among men who have sex with men, and those with multiple sexual partners
While there have been no reports of deaths from monkeypox in North America, the Daily News reported there have been three fatalities — one in Brazil and two in Spain.
The Daily News reported that, according to Brazil’s health ministry, the individual had a “weakened immune system and comorbidities, including lymphoma, which aggravated his condition.”
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