Biden says ‘extra efforts’ not needed against monkeypox

President Joe Biden stated on Monday that the United States has adequate immunizations to deal with a potential monkeypox outbreak and that “additional efforts” are not required to prevent the disease’s spread.

After numerous cases of monkeypox were discovered this month in North America and Europe, Biden was asked if Americans can expect weeks-long quarantines for those affected.

“I don’t believe so.” After conversations with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, he declared at a press conference in Tokyo, “Look, we’ve had this monkeypox in larger numbers in the past.”

“Number two, we’ve got immunizations to deal with it.” Number three, there does not appear to be any need for any additional activities beyond what is now underway.”

Fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, tiredness, and a chickenpox-like rash on the hands and face are all symptoms of monkeypox, which is usually not fatal.

Contact with skin lesions or bodily fluid droplets from an infected individual can spread the virus, which is endemic in regions of Africa.

Biden, who is on his first trip to Asia as president, said in South Korea on Sunday that people should be wary of the sickness, warning that it might have “significant” consequences if it spreads further.

He urged people to be cautious again on Monday, but said the situation did not justify the same level of emergency action seen during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I just don’t think it gets to the degree of anxiety that there was with Covid-19,” he said, adding that he believes the US has adequate smallpox vaccine on hand.

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