Explainer: Monkeypox in the U.S.: Where could it spread next? - Reuters

A person arrives to receive a monkeypox vaccination at the Northwell Health Immediate Care Center at Fire Island-Cherry Grove, in New York, U.S., July 15, 2022.

CHICAGO, Aug 7 (Reuters) - The United States declared monkeypox a public health emergency last week, an effort to bolster the U.S.

The virus continues to be largely transmitted among gay and bisexual men, but experts say the disease could spill over into other populations, especially due to vaccine shortages.

Last month, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global public health emergency.

So far, 80 countries where the virus is not endemic have reported 26,500 cases of monkeypox, according to a Reuters tally.

monkeypox cases occurred among those assigned the male sex at birth as of July 25, according to a technical report by the U.S.

Although the current explosion of cases has occurred in men, experts say there is no biological reason the virus will remain largely within the community of men who have sex with men.

Experts point to the way HIV spread as a possible indicator for where the virus will go next.

Gounder said some theaters in New York, for example, are considering how they might protect their workers from possible monkeypox infections through contact with shared costumes.

The virus continues to be largely transmitted among gay and bisexual men, but experts say the disease could spill over into other populations.