US to declare monkey pox a public health emergency

(FASTNEWS | UNITED STATES) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration plans to declare the monkey pox outbreak a public health emergency as soon as Thursday, was reported citing unidentified sources.

The declaration would come from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, who is expected to discuss the plan at an afternoon briefing.

The HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Biden on Aug. 2 appointed two top federal officials to coordinate his administration’s response to monkey pox, following declarations of emergencies by California, Illinois and New York.

Cases have crossed 6,600 in the United States, as of Wednesday’s data.