Monkeypox Outbreak Nearly Doubles in 5 Days in NYC; More Problems With the Vaccine – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK — The number of possible cases of monkeypox in New York City has nearly doubled in the past five days, as health officials reported a total of 55 suspected cases on Tuesday, an 83% increase. since late last week as vaccine supply problems continue.

The New York City Health Department announced the latest case count in a Tuesday tweet that notably, and similarly to Monday’s, lacked references to new appointments opening at New York’s only clinic. Manhattan set to offer monkeypox vaccinations.

New York City began offering the monkeypox vaccination Thursday to at-risk groups. The outbreak has been linked primarily to men who have sex with men at this point, officials say, but demand was so high for the vaccines that walk-ins sold out within hours.

After again running out of vaccines over the weekend, the health department said it was in ongoing talks with the CDC to secure more doses. However, it is not clear when a stable or even larger supply could be expected.

“This is yet another example of a public health failure. And consider what we just went through with COVID-19, we should be much more prepared,” said New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher, one of the local leaders who say the CDC is failing the city and its comparatively larger LGBTQ population.

The state said it’s the city’s job to order and distribute vaccines from the federal government, but lawmakers are still demanding Albany take action.

“A thousand doses for a population of more than 700,000 is an outrage. And I don’t know if we’ve learned our lesson. We have a population that wants the vaccine, that should be a good thing,” state Sen. Brad Hoylman said Monday. “I’m concerned because this outbreak has affected a subset of the population, the federal government is not taking it seriously. And we’ve seen this before.”

In total, New York City accounts for more than 20% of the 244 cases diagnosed across the country, according to the CDC. There has been one case in New Jersey, while Connecticut has seen none, according to federal data.

Although 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.

Bavarian Nordic, which makes the Jynneos monkeypox and smallpox vaccine, says it is committed to getting its doses wherever they are needed.

“We support the decision by health clinics in New York City and the US government to proactively offer Jynneos to at-risk communities,” a company spokesperson said. “The distribution of the vaccine around the world is controlled by governments. In the United States, distribution of the vaccine is managed by the CDC. To date, we have not turned down a single request from governments that have requested doses of the vaccine. In the coming days, we will work to produce more vaccines if necessary.”

For now, the only clinic in New York City that offers monkeypox vaccines as available is the Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic (303 Ninth Avenue in Manhattan). The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm The clinic had to turn people away on Monday after running out of vaccine.

How do you get monkeypox?

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

Although the CDC says 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.

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.

CDC is urging health care providers in the US to be vigilant for patients who have rashes consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have traveled or are at specific risk for contracting it.

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