[ad_1]
With more than 16,600 known cases of monkeypox across the U.S. and counting, the country is scrambling to contain the outbreak before it takes hold. Cases have been reported in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. No deaths were reported in the US.
California and New York state have both reported case counts of more than 3,000 The highest in the country. Los Angeles County contains 44 percent of California’s total.
Here in LA, cases of monkeypox have risen to 1,349. This is an increase of more than 300 people in less than a week, but that is really an improvement. A month ago, the monkeypox in LA was doubling every nine days. Now, it takes 16 days for cases to double, which indicates a new monkey infection May level up.
“We are cautiously optimistic that this will materialize and continue,” Dr. Rita Singhal, chief medical officer of the LA County Department of Public Health, said in a press release. “The rate is going down, I wouldn’t say it’s going down yet,” she added.
Similar trends are being observed in countries where the epidemic first started and in other US states, she said.
Why is circulation declining?
Dr. Singhal points to three reasons why the spread may begin to slow: increased availability of vaccines, men who have sex with men They are said to be improving their behavior to avoid high risk situations. And how the virus spreads.
“It is not easily transmitted like Covid, it requires prolonged close contact,” said Dr Singhal. “When you have an infectious agent like that, when it’s out in a community or in a group of people, it’s going to burn out very quickly.”
Although anyone can get syphilis, health officials say homosexuals and gay men are at the highest risk of the outbreak. According to LA County Public Health data, 98% of those who test positive are men, and those between the ages of 30 and 39 make up about half of all cases.
While a large proportion of the current outbreak is believed to have been contracted during sexual intercourse, the virus is not a sexually transmitted infection and can be transmitted through prolonged contact with the skin, clothing or bedding of an infected person.
(Provided by LA County Department of Public Health)
Recommended preventive measures
Health officials recommend avoiding close physical contact — both sexual and non-sexual — with people who have symptoms of sores, sores or rashes.
In addition, it is possible to be infected by a person who does not have an ulcer or rash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person can be infected with the virus, but there is a period of three to 17 days in which symptoms do not appear.
Earlier this week, Public Health expanded eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. of Expanded standard It now includes people of any gender or sexual orientation; In the past two weeks, you have had a transaction in exchange for food, money, shelter, or other goods. Also included are gay or bisexual men who have recently had skin-to-skin or intimate contact, such as hugging or kissing, at large venues or events.
The announcement opens the door for more women to be vaccinated – until recently, only women who had intimate relationships are eligible.
The Genius vaccine is still available as part of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who meet previous eligibility criteria, including men who have had sex with men or a transgender person and have been diagnosed with gonorrhea or early syphilis in the past 12 months. ) or have had anonymous sexual intercourse or multiple partners in the past 21 days.
LA County received another 41,300 Jynneos vaccinations this week. Qualified people can. Register for vaccination here.
What questions do you have about the pandemic and health care?
Jackie Fortier helps Southern Californians understand the epidemic by identifying what’s working and what’s not in our health response.
[ad_2]
Source link
