The U.S. has reported at least 3,600 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox, according to data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers indicate that the U.S. has become the leader in the disease.

The disease, rarely found outside of Africa, has seen over 17,000 cases across 70 countries since first being detected in the U.K.

The CDC says the disease is spread person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash and by touching items that were previously touched by someone with an infectious rash.

While anyone can get infected and transmit the virus, the CDC reported a “notable fraction” of cases in the global outbreak were among gay and bisexual men.

The World Health Organization declared it a public-health emergency of international concern on July 23, more than two years since declaring a global health emergency for COVID-19.

The Biden administration is also weighing a decision to declare a public health emergency in response to the growing outbreak.

Vaccine shortage in the U.S.

The U.S. government received criticism that the officials were too slow in deploying the vaccine for monkeypox.

As cases began surging in New York in mid-June, around 300,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine meant for the U.S. were in a facility in Denmark, waiting for approval from U.S. health regulators.

Despite sending more than 310,000 doses of the two-shot monkeypox vaccine to state and local officials, clinics in major hubs like New York City and San Francisco came up short on dosages to meet demand.

After weeks of delays, U.S. health regulators are set to deploy nearly 800,000 additional vaccine doses within the country.

India has preemptively started discussions with vaccine makers about developing a Monkeypox vaccine in case the need arises.

The European Union has given formal approval to a small Danish drugmaker for its vaccines, Imvanex.

The World Health Organization has promoted a more targeted vaccination program against the virus and not a “mass vaccination,” plan against the virus. The organization recommended vaccinations for those exposed to someone infected and those at high risk of exposure.

Protecting against another pandemic

While some countries wait for more vaccines, other nations are putting up new protections to prevent a further spread of the virus.

Despite a low caseload, countries in Asia have begun screening travelers and working with medics to mitigate the spread of monkeypox.

Japan’s Foreign Ministry urged travelers to exercise caution when they travel abroad. Officials have begun doing clinical studies into treatment and preventative measures for the virus.

India, which recorded four cases, has designated 15 laboratories to diagnose monkeypox and develop the equipment to carry out better tests.

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