A new global mpox outbreak has begun and it is only a matter of time before New York City has another outbreak. But is the Big Apple ready for the wave to come?
Local health authorities have warned of the risk of new outbreaks just as pride festivities and the summer party season are underway, New York Times report.
Compared to other places, the Big Apple had one of the highest vaccination rates in the country during an outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) last year. Unfortunately, only half of those vaccinated received only one dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine.
JYNNEOS is a two-dose vaccine against mpox and smallpox. Giving just one shot can leave a person vulnerable to infection.
In response to this situation, The Times quoted Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, deputy national mpox response coordinator at the White House, as saying: “Without new preventive measures, especially vaccination, we will certainly be at risk of a resurgence of mpox, indeed, of mpox resurgence. The risk is high.”
However, partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people aren’t the only ones at risk for the virus. According to anecdotal evidence, even vaccinated people can still become infected, but only with milder symptoms.
this New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Vaccinations are still recommended, saying that anyone of any sexual orientation or gender identity should be vaccinated. Minors are even encouraged to get vaccinated, since parental consent is not required.
Recipients begin to build protection in the days and weeks after the first dose of the vaccine, according to the department. The second dose should be administered at least 28 days later. Complete immunity can be achieved two weeks after the second injection.
The imminent recovery isn’t just having implications in New York City, which recently reported three new cases. About 21 locations across the country have recorded new cases, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Illinois recorded nine new cases, while Maryland had three new cases. Meanwhile, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Virginia each reported one new case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) formally declared the mpox outbreak earlier this month after noting a nearly 90% drop in global cases over the past three months.
However, the CDC warned in April that a new wave of mpox transmission could occur this year due to the country’s lack of efforts to vaccinate high-risk groups.
Public health authorities and nonprofits have since reminded sexually active men who have sex with men to get the vaccine, or to get a second dose if they’ve already had the first.
Published by Medicaldaily.com