Monkeypox Cases Soar to 48; Public Waits for New Vaccine Appointments to Open – NBC4 New York

NEW YORK — The number of possible monkeypox cases in New York City soared again Monday to 48, a 60% increase in just four days.

The health department announced the latest case count in a Monday tweet that notably lacked references to new appointments opening at the only Manhattan clinic the city has set up to offer the monkeypox vaccine.

New York City began offering monkeypox vaccination on Thursday to at-risk groups, and the outbreak is now mostly linked to men who have sex with men, officials say, but demand was so high that walk-ins closed in a matter of hours.

In total, New York City accounts for more than 20% of all diagnosed cases nationwide.

While monkeypox is contagious and rare in the United States, health officials say the risk to the general public is fairly low. And this is not a COVID-like case all over again.

Unlike in the early days of the COVID pandemic, when there was no effective treatment, there are now multiple vaccines that work against the orthopoxvirus that causes monkeypox. It’s just a matter, again, of ensuring a sufficient supply.

For now, the only clinic in New York City that offers monkeypox vaccines as available is the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic (303 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan). The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How do you get monkeypox?

The CDC issued new guidance for monkeypox last week as the number of suspected cases rose across the country, marking the largest outbreak in US history, which has generally been confined to other continents.

Although the CDC says the risk to the general public remains low, people are urged to avoid close contact with sick people, including those with skin or genital lesions, as well as sick or dead animals. Anyone showing symptoms, such as unexplained rashes or lesions, should contact their health care provider for guidance.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958, when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, giving rise to its name.

The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which still has the majority of infections. Other African countries where it has been found: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.

Human symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than smallpox symptoms, the CDC says. It presents as a flu-like illness accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and a rash on the face and body.

Monkeypox begins with a fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Monkeypox also causes the lymph nodes to swell, something that smallpox does not. The incubation period is usually 7 to 14 days, but can range from 5 to 21 days.

CDC is urging health care providers in the US to be vigilant for patients who have rashes consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have traveled or are at specific risk for contracting it.

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