The United States plans to distribute monkeypox vaccines and medical treatments to close contacts of infected people, as the country reports five confirmed or probable cases, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said at a press conference.
In the United States, there is a confirmed infection in Massachusetts and four other cases of humans infected with the orthopox virus — from the same family as monkeypox — said officials. One of the orthopoxvirus cases was recorded in New York, the other in Florida, and the remaining two in Utah. All in men.
The genetic sequence of the Massachusetts case matches that of a patient in Portugal and belongs to a species from West Africa that is less aggressive of the two current monkeypox strains.
“Right now, we hope to maximize the distribution of vaccines to those we know can benefit from them,” said Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the Division of Pathogens and Serious Outcomes. These would be “people who have come into contact with the monkeypox patient, their healthcare professionals, their closest contacts, and people who may be at particularly high risk of serious illness.”
Offer
In terms of supply, the United States has approximately 1,000 doses of the compound JYNNEOS, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved vaccine for common smallpox and monkey disease, in the coming weeks “and that level is expected to rise rapidly.” because the company is providing us with more doses,” Jennifer said.
Epidemiologist John Brooks said people who are immunocompromised or have certain skin conditions, including eczema, are at increased risk.
The CDC is also developing a treatment guideline that will allow the spread of the antivirals tecovirimat and brincidofovir, both of which are licensed to treat smallpox.
source: Noticias
