The World Health Organization is ringing the alarm bell over the monkeypox outbreak, declaring it a global public health emergency. It’s the second time in two years that’s happened; the first was for COVID-19. The decision came Saturday after an emergency committee within WHO met again over the issue. In just a few weeks the disease spread to dozens of countries and infected tens of thousands, including two children in the U.S. — a toddler in California and an infant who’s a noncitizen but who was tested while in Washington, D.C., according to federal health leaders.
In New Jersey, the state is reporting 81 probable and confirmed cases of monkeypox. Epidemiologists warn the U.S. is potentially running out of time to contain the spread of the virus here. Dr. Stephanie Silvera, Montclair State University epidemiologist explains what this means.
