President Joe Biden’s administration will declare a public health emergency over the outbreak of monkeypox in the U.S., according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press reports:
The announcement will free up federal funding and resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever, body aches, chills, fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement. […] The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, including hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing. The people who have gotten sick so far have been primarily men who have sex with men. But health officials emphasize that the virus can infect anyone.
To date, 6,600 Americans have been infected with monkeypox, per data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has prompted states such as New York, California, and Illinois to declare public health emergences, aimed at boosting state resources to help combat the illness.