SAN FRANCISCO -- With an Mpox (formerly monkeypox) outbreak ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, global health experts are urging people who are at higher risk of contracting the virus to take steps to keep themselves healthy. "Within Pride Month, we want to make sure that we have our community up to date and aware," said Scott Bertani, with the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. "As of May, the nation has seen roughly about 150 percent increase in cases of the current disease, which is Clade 2.
" Although case counts are low here, Bertani says they are higher than they were last year. "We are far under the total aggregate case numbers of what we saw in 2022 but we are doubling the case numbers of what we saw in 2023, which suggests there remains an opportunity to have lots of ongoing vigilance," Bertani said. "The concern is that as individuals become less vaccinated and if we're seeing less vaccination within the LGBTQ community which is mostly at risk if another strain comes along, we may be less protected.
" The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) says it is closely monitoring the outbreak overseas. Mpox predominantly affects men who have sex with men. However, it can also spread through non-sexual contact.
SFDPH provided CBS News Bay Area with the following statement: "The vaccination is absolutely key and critical and it's widely available," Bertani said. "Unlike previous years, there is a plethora of vaccine. So it is out there.
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