The number of cases of monkeypox, formerly known as monkeypox, has seen a significant increase in New York City starting in October, as highlighted by the city. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The department, in a recent health advisory, noted a particularly sharp increase: a high of 51 cases were recorded in January.
From October last year until mid-April, the city recorded an average of 36 cases each month. This is a substantial increase compared to the first part of 2023, during which monthly cases ranged between two and 20. Between October and April 15, a total of 256 cases were recorded.reported. Fortunately, most of these cases were mild and only 10 people required hospitalization.
Demographically, the outbreak has predominantly affected black or Hispanic men between the ages of 25 and 44, particularly those who have sex with men. Furthermore, a significant portion of those infected, approximately 73%, had not been vaccinated against monkeypox or had only received one dose of the vaccine.
Mpox spreads via closure skin to skin contact and the exchange of bodily fluids of infected people. The virus can manifest itself as a rash that appears on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth or near the genitals and can also be transmitted from animals to humans, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diseases.
The recent rise in cases represents a decline from the 2022 global surge, which led the United States to declare a health emergency. During that period, more than 31,000 Americans contracted monkeypox and there were 55 deaths.
The health advisory also highlighted concerns about the possible introduction of the more virulent subtype of the Clade I virus into the U.S., especially after a recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The threat is particularly noticeable in the context of international travel.
Globally, the The World Health Organization reported that there were 95,226 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox, including 185 deaths, from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. These data, published in a WHO report on April 30, underline the ongoing challenge that the virus poses to global health systems. .
The city’s health department continues to closely monitor the situation, urging healthcare providers and the public to remain vigilant and follow recommended preventive measures. The advisory emphasizes the importance of vaccination as a critical tool to control the spread of monkeypox, particularly among high-risk populations.