Monkey Pox Virus in the United States of America: A Sudden Public Health Emergency

Ogbonna Eugene Chikere

Abstract: Following the outbreak of the Monkeypox virus in 2022, it quickly spread in an astronomical way around the world, especially in non - traditional places where it was hitherto rarely found. It was more worrisome because the people affected had no recent history of travel to any of the endemic areas. The United States of America became the worst - hit country in the entire world compared to any other country. According to CDC (Center for Disease Control), as of February 1, 2023, the United States of America accounted for approximately 35% percent of all global cases and approximately 31% of all mortality worldwide. This again has laid bare the challenges faced by the U. S. in its surveillance system. This study looks at how monkeypox progressed to becoming a public health emergency in the U. S., and its burdens, and suggests possible preventive actions which include vaccination, social distancing, personal hygiene, and strengthening the surveillance system of the country.

Keywords: Monkeypox, Infection, Epidemic, Endemic, Gay