Palm Springs, CA

Monkey Pox is continuing its slow spread across the United States with the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) now declaring it a global health emergency. 95% + of cases are believed to have been transmitted during sex between men according to a new paper published by the New England Journal of Medicine through skin to skin contact.

The results of the New England Journal of Medicine study “report 528 infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24, 2022, at 43 sites in 16 countries. Overall, 98% of the persons with infection were gay or bisexual men, 75% were White, and 41% had human immunodeficiency virus infection; the median age was 38 years. Transmission was suspected to have occurred through sexual activity in 95% of the persons with infection.”

There are currently two vaccines licenses by the FDA in the United States, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. ACAM2000 is not recommended in people with certain health conditions such as a weakened immune system, pregnancy, or skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis/eczema..

JYNNEOS is in limited supply in the Coachella Valley with only 120 does given to Eisenhower Health currently. State plans are calling for the entire county of Riverside to get only 1100 doses.

Until more Monkeypox vaccines are available, gay resort All Worlds is closing down its sex club, “The Maze,” indefinitely to mitigate the spread of the virus which causes painful skin lesions to multiple parts of the body. Other symptoms include headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.

Members of the LGBTQ community in Palm Springs are pressuring county officials to increase the amount of vaccines immediately to stop the spread with the goal of eventually eradicating Monkeypox. DAP Health has only received 80 does of the vaccine but is asking the state and county for more to get ahead of the spread of Monkeypox which so far has infected 6 people in Riverside county.

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