New York Governor declares state emergency over monkeypox
The governor of the State of New York Kathy Hochul late on Friday declared an emergency in the state over the continued spread of monkeypox.
“I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront the monkeypox outbreak,” Hochul tweeted.
I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront the monkeypox outbreak.
This Executive Order enables us to respond more swiftly, and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 30, 2022
She added that more than one in four monkeypox cases in the United States are in New York, also having a disproportionate impact on at-risk groups.
As of July 29, New York state had a total of 1,383 confirmed orthopoxvirus/monkeypox cases, according to New York Department of Health’s website.
Earlier on Friday, Brazil and Spain reported the first monkeypox-related deaths outside Africa.
The World Health Organisation last week declared a global health emergency, its highest level of alert, over the monkeypox outbreak.