The global spread of monkeypox may be regarded as a current healthcare issue that requires an immediate and efficient response. Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease characterized by less severe symptoms and consequences in comparison with smallpox. However, the importance of research and well-informed actions is justified by several factors. First of all, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2022), “in just over two months, a global outbreak of monkeypox in non-endemic countries has led to more than 15 000 cases” (para. 1). At the same time, this illness is not associated with any particular community, and its manifestations are not properly studied.
Considering the significance of the issue, it is necessary to assess the level of governmental awareness and measures that are planned to be taken as well. Thus, according to the White House, the outbreak of monkeypox is declared “a federal public health emergency” (United States of Care, 2022, para. 2). This means that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should coordinate agencies’ actions to ensure an efficient response that includes vaccination research, the distribution of tests and vaccines, and the health care system’s general preparedness. In this case, as with other infectious diseases, monkeypox will be covered by health insurance within the framework of the Affordable Care Act. In other words, treatment and vaccination will be free and accessible to citizens regardless of their socioeconomic status and sociodemographic characteristics (CDC, 2022). For this, as previously mentioned, research, the system’s preparedness, and health care providers’ training covered by the government’s investments are required.
In particular, addressing healthcare professionals is especially important as they face additional challenges already impacted by the consequences of the pandemic, such as constant stress, anxiety, and burnout. At the same time, a considerable number of healthcare officials express their concerns related to the system’s capacities as healthcare providers are exhausted. In this case, “a sustainable, well-funded, permanent public health infrastructure” is required (Ollove, 2022, para. 29). Moreover, additional investments aim to improve the situation and according to the Washington Post, “the White House privately informed Congress that it may need nearly $7 billion to address “the scope and urgency of the current situation” (Ollove, 2022, para. 10). Along with vaccination processes, they should contribute to addressing health care providers’ emotional well-being and training dedicated to specialists’ cultural competence and emotional intelligence considering the particular aspects of monkeypox transmission.
Considering the ways of the disease’s spread, it is frequently called a sexually associated one. However, regardless of the considerable number of cases of gay men’s infection, monkeypox is not typical for a particular population group. Thus, both WHO and the White House underline the significance of stigmatization avoidance. In other words, medical assistance should be provided to every one according to the ethical principles of fairness, equality, and beneficence. In addition, the population should be educated in order to avoid discrimination and violence against LGBTQ community members on the basis of prejudice and hate. In particular, the use of modern technologies may be helpful for the dissemination of appropriate information. All in all, the issue of the global spread of monkeypox cannot be ignored. It goes without saying that research dedicated to this topic should be continued in order to assess the dynamics of the disease’s spread, the outcomes of measures taken, and their efficiency in the future.
References
CDC. (2022). Mpox vaccination basics. CDC. Web.
Ollove, M. (2022). Monkeypox straining already overstretched public health system. Pew. Web.
United States of Care. (2022). United States of Care statement on the Monkeypox virus designation as a federal public health emergency. United States of Care. Web.
World Health Organization. (2022). Responding to the monkeypox outbreak: Perspectives of clinicians treating patients with the disease. World Health Organization. Web.