There were a total of 153 confirmed cases in New York as of July 7, according to the state Department of Health. To date, 141 cases have been confirmed in New York City, six in Westchester County and one each in Sullivan, Chemung and Rockland counties, in addition to three in Suffolk. State health officials today announced New York’s monkeypox response strategy, which aims to distribute a limited supply of monkeypox vaccine to “people with known or potential exposure in areas with the highest number of cases.” Statewide eligibility currently includes:
People with recent exposure to monkeypox in the past 14 days. Those at high risk of recent exposure to monkeypox, including members of the gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming community and other communities of men who have sex with men and have engaged in intimate or skin-to-skin contact with others in the last 14 days in areas where monkeypox is spreading. People who have had skin-to-skin contact with someone on a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, including men who have sex with men who meet partners through an online site, digital application (“app”), or social event such as a bar or party.
The federal government has made 8,195 doses of the monkeypox vaccine available in New York State, with 5,989 doses in New York. Of the remaining 2,206 doses, 750 will be distributed in Suffolk County, 450 in Westchester County, 400 in Nassau County, 300 in Saratoga County and 40 in Rockland and Sullivan Counties. Tomorrow, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Steve Bellone of Suffolk County, along with Northwell Health officials and LGBTQ+ advocates, will announce the launch of the monkeypox vaccine in Suffolk County tomorrow. The county, in partnership with Northwell Health, will begin hosting pop-up vaccine clinics for eligible people next week on Fire Island, including Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, according to a media advisory from the county office . The State Department of Health announced today that it has launched a public education campaign to get information about monkeypox to New Yorkers. The campaign includes a website with free downloadable informational materials. “Monkey pox is a rare, viral infection that usually does not cause serious illness,” the state Department of Health said. “Although the current strain of monkeypox circulating in the U.S. is rarely fatal, the symptoms can be extremely painful and people can be permanently scarred from the rash.” So far, there have been no deaths related to the current outbreak, health officials said. Anyone can get monkeypox, which is spread mainly through close, physical contact between people. Based on the current outbreak, some populations are more affected than others, including men who have sex with men. Information from previous outbreaks around the world shows that elderly New Yorkers, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children younger than 8 may be at increased risk for serious outcomes, the state Department of Health said. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family business. You rely on us to stay informed and we rely on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to provide this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
