The San Francisco Department of Public Health ?SFDPH, for your follow in English? announced on Monday the end of the monkeypox emergency ?MPX? same that ended on October 27, due to the reduction of cases in the area.
Through a statement, he specified that MPX cases have dropped to less than one case per day and more than 27,000 San Franciscans are now vaccinated against the virus.
In addition, he highlighted that the SFDPH made progress in its public health response to other sexually transmitted infections ?STIs? by issuing the nation's first guidance on how to use doxycycline, a common antibiotic, to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis infections.
These types of bacterial STIs are also of public health concern, and rates have increased in recent years within communities of gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and others who have also been most affected by MPX.
SFDPH stressed that the declaration of a public health emergency in MPX, the first of its kind in the nation, served its purpose of reflecting the immediate urgency of the disease threat to the health of those most affected in the gay, bisexual, and bisexual communities. and trans, while giving public health officials tools such as critical data collection, needed to respond effectively.
Community support and advocacy for critical resources like vaccines by the federal government, along with early and strong action, fueled San Francisco's successful public health response and allowed the city to reach the milestone.
"First, it was San Franciscans themselves, who have been extremely proactive about their health and have sought out vaccinations and taken other steps to educate and protect themselves and others," the department said.
While much has been accomplished in the nearly three months since the emergency declaration, SFDPH stressed that it is important to note that MPX is still circulating in communities and remains a public health concern.
"The work must continue. San Franciscans should continue to do their part by getting vaccinated against MPX if they are eligible and, most importantly, complete the two-dose series of Jynneos; maximum protection against the virus occurs only after the vaccination series is complete."
He further recalled that, if there are concerns about receiving an intradermal injection in the forearm, the vaccine can be administered in a less visible way, for example, on the back.
Finally, SFDPH said it will continue efforts to prevent monkeypox by focusing public health resources where they can be most effective and by addressing health disparities in LGBTIQ+ communities.
In turn, it will also remain vigilant to respond to outbreaks as needed, monitor disease trends, and keep the community informed when new issues arise that require a public health response.
Health systems, community clinics like SF City Clinic and Strut, and SFPDH affiliated sites will continue to offer MPX immunizations, tests, and other resources.
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