Public Health Officials Disagree on Whether Monkeypox Will Become an Endemic STD

When monkeypox began to pop up outside of its native Africa—where it is typically transmitted via animal bites—public health officials in both the United States and Europe seemed confident the viral disease could be contained. Unfortunately, what began as an outbreak of a few hundred cases in May has turned into more than 2,400 cases reported in the US. Skin-to-skin contact is the main mode of transmission in the US, and some public health officials believe that monkeypox will become an endemic sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as gonorrhea and herpes. Others are more optimistic, believing monkeypox can be controlled. The US response to monkeypox containment has been hindered by low vaccine availability, contract tracing fatigue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and lack of testing. Click here to read more.