ReportWire

Tag: monkeypox vaccine

  • Monkeypox Case Rates 5 Times Higher in Black Americans

    Monkeypox Case Rates 5 Times Higher in Black Americans

    [ad_1]

    Oct. 7, 2022 — Monkeypox cases in the U.S. disproportionately affect Black Americans, with rates five times higher than among white peers, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

    Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders also have significantly higher rates of reported monkeypox cases.

    “Disparities in cases persist among Black and Hispanic people, a pattern also seen with HIV and COVID-19,” KFF wrote.

    The analysis was based on CDC data for 68% of monkeypox cases reported in the U.S. as of Sept. 23. Monkeypox case rates are:

    • 14.4 per 100,000 people among Black Americans
    • 10 per 100,000 people among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
    • 8.3 per 100,000 people among Hispanic Americans
    • 3 per 100,000 people among Asian Americans
    • 2.8 per 100,000 people among American Indians and Alaska Natives
    • 2.6 per 100,000 people among white Americans

    Overall, Black Americans account for the largest share of monkeypox cases, and both Black and Hispanic Americans account for a larger share of cases. About 70% of cases are among people of color, while people of color account for 40% of the U.S. population.

    The monkeypox outbreak in the U.S. appears to be slowing down, KFF wrote, reaching a peak in August and declining in September. However, new cases among Black Americans began to exceed those among white Americans in early August. Although those cases are now declining, the numbers continue to remain higher.

    In addition, Black and Hispanic Americans have received smaller shares of monkeypox vaccines, the report found. As of Sept. 27, 51% of first doses have gone to white Americans, although they represent 30% of cases. In contrast, Black Americans have received 13% of first doses despite accounting for about 35% of cases. Similarly, Hispanic Americans have received 22% of first doses, while they account for 30% of cases.

    “The lower shares of vaccinations among these groups may in part explain why they have had higher numbers of new cases and complicate efforts to address disparities moving forward,” KFF wrote.

    The U.S. has reported 26,385 monkeypox cases during the current outbreak, according to the latest CDC data. More than 70,000 cases and 27 deaths have been reported worldwide.

    KFF noted the ongoing challenge of tracking the outbreak due to data limitations around testing and vaccination. For instance, race and ethnicity data is missing for 32% of reported cases and 9% of vaccinations. Without data, researchers aren’t able to conduct an analysis of disparities across multiple factors, such as race and ethnicity, sex, gender identity, and risk.

    “As has been seen with HIV and COVID-19, underlying structural inequities place people of color at increased risk for public health threats, and focused efforts will be key to minimizing and preventing further disparities going forward,” KFF wrote. “While the federal government has begun piloting efforts to reach communities of color with MPX vaccines in order to address disparities, it is unclear if such efforts will be enough to stave off further disproportionate impact, and much will also depend on what state and local jurisdictions do.”

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Ohio Reports Death of Monkeypox Patient

    Ohio Reports Death of Monkeypox Patient

    [ad_1]

    Sept. 30, 2022 — Ohio health officials reported the death of a monkeypox patient, marking the third known death of a U.S. patient with monkeypox, according to CNN.

    The Ohio Department of Health said Friday that an adult male with monkeypox died. He also had “other health conditions,” CNN reported, but no other details were released.

    On Thursday, the CDC issued a new warning to health care providers about severe illnesses in people with monkeypox, particularly those with weak immune systems due to HIV or other conditions.

    “During the current outbreak in the United States, 38 percent of people diagnosed with monkeypox were coinfected with HIV and most reported cases of monkeypox with severe manifestations have been among people living with untreated HIV,” the CDC wrote.

    The CDC said some people in the U.S. have had “serious manifestations” of the monkeypox virus, including prolonged hospitalizations and “substantial” health problems. Some of the severe issues have included:

    • A persistent rash with tissue that is dying or wounds growing together, including some that required extensive surgery or amputation of a limb on the body 
    • Injured tissue or wounds in sensitive areas, such as the mouth, urethra, rectum, or vagina, that cause severe pain and interfere with daily activities
    • Bowel wounds or injured tissue with significant swelling, sometimes leading to obstruction
    • Injured tissue or wounds that cause scarring with “significant” effects in areas like the genitals, bowels, or face
    • Involvement of multiple organ systems and associated conditions, such as encephalitis, myocarditis, conjunctivitis, and corneal ulcerations

    The CDC noted that most people diagnosed with monkeypox have had mild or moderate illness, although severe cases can happen in anyone. The health alert urged health care providers to be aware of risk factors for severe monkeypox and said anyone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox should be tested for HIV. 

    Doctors should also check whether someone has a weak immune system due to another chronic condition or an immune-related medication, the CDC said. Before undergoing monkeypox treatment, patients with weak immune systems should stop other medications that could affect their immune system. Those with HIV should have antiretroviral therapy.

    The first U.S. death due to monkeypox was confirmed earlier this month in Los Angeles County, California, CNN reported. Health officials said the person had a severely weakened immune system and had been hospitalized.

    In August, a person in Texas died after contracting monkeypox. But health officials haven’t determined or disclosed whether the virus played a role in the patient’s death, CNN reported.

    More than 68,000 monkeypox cases and 27 deaths have been reported worldwide, according to the latest CDC data. 

    In the U.S., more than 25,000 monkeypox cases have been reported, CDC data shows. Case numbers appear to be falling, CNN reported, which health officials have attributed to an increasing number of people who have been vaccinated against the virus.

    Earlier this week, the CDC expanded eligibility for the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine to high-risk people who haven’t yet been exposed to the virus, according to Reuters. The CDC said high-risk people — such as men who have sex with men or those who live with HIV — were 14 times more likely to be infected if they were unvaccinated, as compared with those who were at least two weeks past their first vaccine dose.

    [ad_2]

    Source link