US declares national public health emergency over monkeypox outbreak

'We urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,' Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra says

People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine at a hospital in San Francisco, California. AP

California's governor declared a state of emergency over monkeypox, making it the third state in three days to take the step. AP

A man holds a sign calling for increased access to the monkeypox vaccine during a protest in San Francisco. AP

The mayor of San Francisco announced a local state of emergency over the growing number of monkeypox cases. AP

A pharmacist opens a freezer transport box containing the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox in San Francisco. AP

Vials of single doses of the Jynneos shot for monkeypox are seen at the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. AP

A pharmacist removes a tray of vials of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses. AP

People queue a monkeypox vaccination site in California. AP

A public health worker administers the monkeypox vaccine in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Nurses speak with a person looking to receive a monkeypox vaccine at a drive-through vaccination site at the Westchester Medical Centre in Valhalla, New York. Reuters

People protest during a rally calling for more government action to combat the spread of monkeypox at Foley Square in New York City. AFP

People protest during a rally over the US response to the monkeypox outbreak in Manhattan, New York City. AFP

People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine before the opening of a new mass vaccination site in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP

A person waits to receive the monkeypox vaccine in New York City. AFP

The US on Thursday declared a national public health emergency in response to the growing monkeypox outbreak, which is currently the largest in the world.

“We're prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said.

More than 6,600 presumed monkeypox cases have been reported by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Joe Biden's administration has faced criticism for its slow response to the outbreak, with only limited testing supplies and vaccines available as cases continue to rise.

The White House set up a monkeypox response team this week but three US states and several cities declared health emergencies before the federal declaration announced on Thursday.

The declaration will allow for greater funding to support public education on prevention, more accessible testing or treatment, and quicker deployment of vaccines.

Mr Becerra said the US has committed 1.1 million vaccine doses to be distributed nationally and 600,000 have been sent out already.

High demand for vaccines has forced local health departments to prioritise first doses for the two-dose regimen of the JYNNEOS vaccine, as health officials have said it is possible to delay the second dose.

Officials said an expected October shipment of 150,000 doses was expedited for September delivery, and other doses will arrive in the following months.

"We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to combat this virus," White House monkeypox response co-ordinator Robert Fenton said.

"This virus is moving fast."

The US estimates there are 1.6 to 1.7 million people who are at highest risk of developing monkeypox.

Monkeypox is spread through close physical contact, including sex, as well as through interacting with clothes or other items used by people who are infected.

The current outbreak is mainly affecting gay men, but cases have been reported in children and pregnant women.

Symptoms include body rashes and lesions, and patients must isolate for three to four weeks.

There are no known deaths from the virus in the US outbreak, but other non-endemic countries have reported fatalities.

The World Health Organisation declared a global emergency over the spread of the virus in non-endemic countries in July.

"We continue to marshal forward the tools we need to contain monkeypox and keep it from spreading to become endemic," Mr Becerra said.