PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — President Joe Biden mentioned Sunday that fresh instances of monkeypox which were recognized in Europe and the US have been one thing “to be occupied with.”
In his first public feedback at the illness, Biden added: “This is a worry in that if it have been to unfold it could be consequential.”
The president was once requested in regards to the illness as he spoke to journalists at Osan Air Base in South Korea, the place he visited troops prior to starting off for Japan to proceed his first shuttle to Asia as president.
“They haven’t instructed me the extent of publicity but however it’s one thing that everyone will have to be occupied with,” Biden mentioned. He added that paintings was once underway to resolve what vaccine could be efficient.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s nationwide safety adviser, instructed journalists aboard the flight to Tokyo that the US has a provide of “vaccine this is related to treating monkeypox.”
“Now we have vaccine to be had to be deployed for that function,” he mentioned. Sullivan mentioned Biden was once getting common updates at the outbreak.
Monkeypox is never recognized out of doors of Africa, however as of Friday, there have been 80 showed instances international, together with a minimum of two in the US, and any other 50 suspected ones.
Despite the fact that the illness belongs to the similar virus circle of relatives as smallpox, its signs are milder. Folks most often get better inside of two to 4 weeks while not having to be hospitalized, however the illness from time to time is fatal.
Megerian reported from Washington. Related Press creator Darlene Superville in Washington contributed reporting.