The Louisiana Department of Health reports 127 confirmed monkeypox cases. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 95-percent of the cases have occurred in males. Nearly 60-percent are among Black Louisianans, and about 27-percent have occurred among white Louisianans.
“So there are racial disparities at play that are going to require a lot of attention as we respond to this growing outbreak, Kanter says.”
He says other parts of the country with more cases are seeing them spread into other demographic groups.
“Right now its largely contained to the gay male community but there’s no expectation that it will remain contained in that community, so we have to act fast. We think we still have a window to make a difference in controlling the spread of this outbreak,” he adds..
Kanter says it should be easier to contain the Monkeypox outbreak than COVID because the treatment—smallpox vaccine—already exists, but it’s in short supply.
“We’ve been fiercely advocating to our federal partners to obtain more supply in Louisiana, particularly as we look to upcoming high-risk events like Southern Decadence,” Kanter says.
People interested in receiving the vaccine can visit the Louisiana Department of Health website for more information. They can also call 211 to get their questions answered.
Kanter wrap
Anchor intro: State health officials are now updating detailed monkeypox data weekly. They’re also doing a hard push to get more vaccines from the federal government. Marsanne Golsby has the update.
State health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 95 per cent of the cases are in men who are having sex with men,– nearly 65 per cent among Black Louisianans. He does expect the vaccine supplies to increase. Officials are trying to get the vaccines to people who most need them.
“And that means going into the community, and going in..the black gay community to …out: to make vaccine available :08
Those who want the vaccine can visit the health department website or call 211 with questions.
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