(Pamela Cosel, Headline USA) Reported cases of monkeypox have doubled in both New York and California after last month’s gay pride parades, according to health departments in those states.
In addition, cases of the viral disease are increasing in Washington D.C., with 58 known cases, up from just seven last week.
Outbreaks and increases in cases are happening among the gay community, predominately among men who have had sex with other men, reported the New York Health Department. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that even close contact like hugging, kissing and massages between gay men increases the risk of getting monkeypox.
“Many of these global reports of monkeypox cases are occurring within sexual networks. However, healthcare providers should be alert to any rash that has features typical of monkeypox,” said Inger Damon, director of the CDC’s Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, where the agency’s poxvirus research is based.
“We’re asking the public to contact their healthcare provider if they have a new rash and are concerned about monkeypox.”
There is a vaccine available for monkeypox, reportedly developed by a cabal with close connections to some of the same characters behind the COVID vaccine that government in many cases mandated. President Joe Biden has already launched a nationwide monkeypox vax campaign, and is ramping up efforts for testing.
Scientists who are studying the spread of monkeypox say it mutates 12 times faster than normal mutation rates, reported Legal Insurrection.
Live Science reported that the virus has infected more than 3,500 people across 48 countries since the first outbreak was detected outside of Africa this past May. A map on the Global Health website showed there are more than 7,000 cases reported worldwide.
“We have had individuals in D.C. who have been hospitalized for pain control. This is not something, like, where it’s just bumps on your body. These can be very painful rashes and lesions on your body,” said Patrick Ashley, with the D.C. Department of Health, according to NBC Washington.
