US: In an effort to stop the monkeypox virus from spreading across the country, the Biden administration is debating whether to declare the outbreak a public health emergency. In addition, the administration plans to appoint a White House coordinator to lead the response.
Leaders of the White House and health agencies discussed over the weekend the best course of action in the fight against the virus after the World Health Organization issued its highest-level warning on Saturday, deeming monkeypox a public health emergency. was nominated. International concern. As infections rise in countries where the virus is not commonly found, about 18,000 cases have been confirmed outside Africa since May, including about 3,500 in the United States.
Although the gay and bisexual community has seen most of the new cases, experts warn that the virus will likely spread to other populations. The first two confirmed cases of monkeypox in children in the United States occurred on Friday, most likely as a result of living with an infected adult. However, federal health officials said there was currently no evidence of continued transmission among large population groups.
The three men, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so, said some health officials believe the government needs to cut red tape and gather information about the spread of the virus. An emergency declaration is required to give the power to do so, others believe the move is mostly symbolic and will not address vaccine shortages, treatment barriers, or other issues that have affected the U.S. response has been hindered.
Officials have also questioned whether such a declaration is necessary in the case of a virus that has not yet been linked to a single confirmed death in the United States. The monkeypox associated with this outbreak causes complications in pregnant women, children and other vulnerable people, as well as fever, sores and excruciating pain that can last for weeks.
According to two people, officials are expected to make a decision this week regarding a planned announcement on the emergency response that 800,000 additional vaccine doses will be distributed after the Food and Drug Administration ends its review.
Domestic politics also complicates elections. The Biden administration has been urged by advocacy groups and health organizations to declare abortion and gun violence a public health emergency.
The White House has also indicated it is considering a comprehensive emergency declaration for climate change, which has begun discussions about which issues should be prioritized. Additionally, the Biden administration continues to expand opioid and coronavirus public health emergency declarations, which expire after 90 days.
Uncertainty about the need for an emergency declaration has been privately acknowledged by Department of Health and Human Services officials. A memo sent to President Biden on Sunday, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, said the announcement is "a tool to be used to align with the WHO and to raise additional awareness, as well as for the HHS." to provide significant justification (though limited) for the use of tools that will aid in the response."
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