The New York City Health Department declared the mpox outbreak, which had caused thousands of cases but had been receding in recent months, over on Tuesday.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, first appeared in the United States in early 2022, eventually leading to over 30,000 cases. The country struggled to meet the vaccine demand posed by its spread, prompting the federal government to implement a new supply-boosting strategy.
Brief Overview
New York City vaccinated over 100,000 people against the viral disease and has significantly reduced new infections.
“The end of the mpox outbreak is a proud moment for us in public health, and it represents the best of science and society coming together for quick action,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.
Data from the city Health Department tracked 3,821 mpox cases across the five boroughs between May 19, 2022, and December 31, 2022. At least two deaths have been reported as a result of the outbreak.
In New York City, approximately 154,000 doses were administered, which exceeded the number of doses delivered in nearly every other state. According to the city Health Department, only California administered more doses.
“When mpox began to spread in New York City, the city and its public hospital system mobilized. Its facilities and launched a mobile vaccination fleet to ensure that the vaccine was available to all New Yorkers without exception,” said Dr. Andrew Wallach, ambulatory care chief medical officer at NYC Health + Hospitals.
End Note
Despite the city declaring the outbreak over, officials say mpox is still circulating at low levels in New York City. Providers should still test patients when mpox symptoms, such as a rash or sores resembling pimples or blisters, are present.
The World Health Organization officially renamed monkeypox “mpox” after receiving reports of “racist and stigmatizing language” concerning the disease’s name, both online and in person, after it spread outside of areas it is considered endemic.
The mpox public health emergency in the United States ended on Tuesday.
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