Monkeypox

The U.S. will declare a public health emergency to bolster the federal response to the outbreak of monkeypox that already has infected more than 6,600 Americans, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

NOAA predicts flooding will increase in the region next year.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she and state health officials are confronting the ongoing outbreaks of two diseases, COVID-19 and monkeypox. She also said the state is launching two programs to better respond to future health crises.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York wants President Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act to manufacturer more monkeypox vaccines to curb the spread of the disease in her state.

WSHU's J.D. Allen spoke with Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, about the questions parents have about monkeypox for the upcoming school year.

New York State’s Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said monkeypox continues to spread and people should be aware of the risks as well as how to access the limited supply of vaccines.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is calling on the federal government to increase the supply of monkeypox vaccines.

Officials in New York City declared a public health emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus Saturday, calling the city “the epicenter” of the outbreak.

There are now 28 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Connecticut, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker wants residents to be on alert after two of Connecticut’s 16 monkeypox cases were identified in the city on Thursday.