NYC Monkeypox Cases Double in One Week – NBC New York

New monkeypox infections in New York City are up 28% since last Friday, city health officials said Tuesday. This as time goes on to get more doses of vaccines to deal with the outbreak.

There are now 111 cases, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tweeted, up from 87 last Friday. Cases have now fully doubled in the last week.

The Big Apple opened a vaccine clinic last month, but it lasted just a few hours before running out of enough vaccine doses to handle walk-ins. However, this situation may improve shortly.

“We expect to receive more doses of the monkeypox vaccine in the coming days and will make appointments available soon,” the city tweeted.

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 COVID 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.

How do you get monkeypox?

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

Although the CDC say 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.

It is also advisable to avoid the consumption of meat that comes from wild game or the use of products (such as creams, powders or lotions) that come from wild animals in Africa.

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.

Los CDC are urging healthcare providers in the US to be vigilant for patients who have rashes Skin infections compatible with monkeypoxregardless of whether they have traveled or are at specific risk of contracting it. See more information about the travel advisory here.

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