The United States is expanding its campaign against the monkey flu vaccine. The U.S. Department of Health yesterday announced the immediate release of 56,000 dose vaccines to areas with high transmission rates. This is five times more than what was previously distributed in the country. The U.S. government wants to secure an additional 240,000 vaccines in the coming weeks. A total of 1.6 million vaccine doses should be available this year.
According to the CDC, the current outbreak of monkey pox has reported 4,700 cases worldwide. There are 306 cases in the United States, none of which are dangerous.
There is currently no global health emergency
A less endangered relative of the giant that was destroyed about 40 years ago, the monkey is commonly found in West and Central Africa. However, since May, monkeys have spread to other countries, especially in Western Europe. Common symptoms of the disease include high fever, swollen lymph nodes and sheep sores. The disease is spread through close physical and skin contact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) decided over the weekend not to declare an international health emergency for monkey flu. According to WHO President Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the monkey box outbreak is not currently classified as a public health emergency of international concern – the WHO’s highest alert.
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