New York State declares monkeypox ‘imminent threat’ and NYC declares state of emergency

As the spread of monkeypox gains steam across the United States and Europe, New York state this week declared the virus an “imminent threat,” while New York City declared a state of emergency.

Based on the ongoing spread of this virus, which has increased rapidly and affected primarily communities that identify as men who have sex with men, and the need for local jurisdictions to administer vaccines, I’ve declared monkeypox an Imminent Threat to Public Health throughout New York State,” said State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett in a Thursday statement.

The statement continued, “This declaration means that local health departments engaged in response and prevention activities will be able to access additional State reimbursement, after other Federal and State funding sources are maximized, to protect all New Yorkers and ultimately limit the spread of monkeypox in our communities.”

Just two days later, New York City officials declared a state of emergency over the virus and called the Big Apple the “epicenter” of the monkeypox outbreak.

“Today, we are declaring monkeypox a public health emergency in New York City,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “Over the past few weeks, we have moved as quickly as possible to expand outreach and access to vaccines and treatment to keep people safe. This declaration, which is effective immediately, will allow DOHMH to issue emergency commissioner’s orders under the New York City Health Code and amend provisions of the Health Code to provide for measures to help slow the spread.”

The city and state are both coordinating with federal officials to obtain and distribute doses of the monkeypox vaccine. “We are also working with partners at every level of government, to obtain as many additional doses as possible, as quickly as possible, so that we can protect New Yorkers during this growing outbreak,” said Adams.

San Francisco also announced a state of emergency over the monkeypox virus this week. “We are at a very scary place. And we don’t want to be ignored by the federal government in our need. So many leaders of the LGBT community have also, weeks ago, asked for additional help and support and assistance,” said Mayor London Breed in a news conference on Thursday. Breed says the San Francisco area is in dire need of vaccine doses, with 281 out of the 800 total cases in California so far.

As of Saturday, there were 5,189 confirmed cases in the United States so far, with 799 in California and 1,345 in New York.