Monkeypox Cases Declining

[CellarDweller]

With monkeypox cases steadly declining, Biden administration turns focus to equity: What to know

Cady Staton - 09/15/2022

Federal health officials announced Thursday that monkeypox cases in the U.S. have declined nearly 50% overall since the beginning of August, leading to a shift in the government's virus response to focus on addressing racial disparities in infections and vaccine uptake.

What happened: At a White House briefing Thursday, officials said that they are "cautiously optimistic" about the decrease in cases, but shared plans to address equity concerns around efforts to address the virus, which has largely spread among men who have sex with men.

By the numbers: While non-Hispanic Black men represented 38% of new cases in the past week, they make up only 12% of those who've received a first dose of the monkeypox vaccine, according to Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky. Hispanic men make up 25% of cases in the past week, and represent only 21% of first vaccine doses.


What's next:  Officials say they aren't letting their guard down despite the promising numbers, vowing to keep utilizing a "multi-layered" approach focusing on testing, vaccine availability and health education to keep numbers low and address the needs of those who are most at risk for the virus.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati...387485002/