This week, California and Illinois joined New York state in declaring a public health emergency in light of the increasing number of monkeypox cases. Mere weeks ago, the World Health Organization declared a "global health emergency" for the virus, which is related to smallpox, and causes pustules to emerge on one's body along with other fever symptoms.
The three states' move comes as 48 US states record 5,811 cases of monkeypox, as of August 1, 2022; the three aforementioned states that have declared a state of emergency have the highest number of cases in the country, making up nearly 47 percent of total cases. But nearly two months ago, there were only 19 confirmed cases in 10 states. (The first case emerged in May.) Back in 2003, when a mini-outbreak occurred in the United States, 47 people in six states had confirmed or probable cases of monkeypox, but it was quickly contained.
