Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The New York City government declared a public health emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus. In fact, authorities say the city is currently the epicenter of the spread of the virus.
In a statement Saturday (30/7/2022), Mayor Eric Adams and health commissioner Ashwin Vasan said as many as 150,000 city residents could be at risk of infection.
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The declaration would allow officials to issue emergency orders under the city’s health code and amend the code’s provisions to implement measures to help slow the spread.
The move itself is also a continuation of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s policy that the state has considered monkeypox an imminent threat to public health.
“We will continue to work with our federal partners to secure more (vaccine) doses as soon as they become available,” Adams and Vasan said in a statement.
“This outbreak must be faced with urgency, action and resources, both nationally and globally, and this declaration of a public health emergency reflects the seriousness of the moment.”
New York had recorded 1,345 cases as of Friday, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. California ranks second, with 799.
This once rare disease has been found in parts of Central and West Africa. But in recent decades this disease has spread widely in other regions such as Europe and North America.
The virus is spread through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact. In addition, monkeypox is also transmitted by sharing bedding, towels, and clothes.
To date, there have been more than 22,000 cases of monkeypox reported in nearly 80 countries since May. This figure is accompanied by about 75 suspected deaths in Africa, mostly in Nigeria and Congo.
On Friday, Brazil and Spain reported deaths linked to monkeypox, the first to be reported outside Africa. Spain reported a second monkeypox death on Saturday.
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Monkeypox Spreads, Indonesia Must Be Alert?
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(tps/me)
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