The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox in the United States, but even though the federal government has ample treatments and vaccinations on hand, physicians say bureaucratic red tape is hindering their ability to respond to and contain the outbreak.
It is “nearly impossible” for physicians and clinics to get patients the monkeypox antiviral TPOXX, even though New York City has enough supply on hand, said Mary Foote, the medical director for emergency preparedness and response in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
She warned that the true number of monkeypox cases in the U.S. is likely much higher than 1,000 because many individuals cannot easily access testing.
