Detroit Evening Report, Aug. 5, 2022: Number of monkeypox cases in Michigan soars in past week
A pharmacist loads a syringe with monkeypox vaccine at a pop-up monkeypox vaccination site on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in West Hollywood, California.
Welcome to the Detroit Evening Report, a daily round-up of news that city residents need to know.
The number of monkeypox cases has skyrocketed in the past week. As of Thursday, there were 71 confirmed cases in Michigan, up from 25 the week before. There were 19 confirmed cases in Detroit. The federal government declared a public health emergency Thursday to bolster the response to the monkeypox outbreak. The announcement will free up money and other resources to fight the virus, which may cause fever … body aches … chills … fatigue and pimple-like bumps on many parts of the body.
Dr. Shira Heisler is medical director of the Detroit Public Health STD Clinic. She says it’s important to stress that transmission of monkeypox is not limited to sexual activity.
“Now, I want to be adamantly clear, this is not a gay disease, no virus or bacteria … care what sexual orientation you are, but how viruses and bacteria spread is commonly through networks.”
Detroiters who have been exposed to the monkeypox virus or who suspect they have been exposed can get the vaccine at Wayne HIV/STI Clinic or the Detroit Health Department.
Other headlines for Aug. 5, 2022:
- Detroit City Council sends proposed initiative that seeks to overturn marijuana licensing ordinance to the Election Commission
- A coalition of Black-owned food businesses wants seat at the table to discuss Food Grading Ordinance
- U.S. employers adds more than half a million jobs in July
- More than 150 events across city set for ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day
Photo credit: Richard Vogel/AP file photo
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