NYC Monkeypox Cases Grow To 14 As Experts Ponder Next Steps

NEW YORK CITY — Monkeypox cases in New York City swelled to 14 overall as the rare virus continued its mysterious worldwide spread, health officials said Tuesday.

All 14 people tested positive for orthopoxvirus — the type of virus that includes monkeypox — and are presumed to have the disease, according to a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene update.

The first monkeypox case in the city was detected May 19, and the virus has appeared to slowly, but steadily spread.

"Most of these people have had mild cases, have not been hospitalized and have recovered on their own," the update states.

But even mild monkeypox illness can yield itchy and painful sores, health officials noted.

It's an infection that has been confirmed in 1,600 people in 39 countries this year, and suspected in 1,500 more, said World Health Organization officials this week.

An emergency WHO committee June 23 will debate what next steps should be taken as the virus shows "unusual" behavior, the Associated Press reported. They're seriously considering whether to declare it an international health emergency, the same designation as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We believe that it needs also some coordinated response because of the geographic spread,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Monkeypox normally circulates in Africa and is rare, most often affecting people in rural areas who come into close contact with infected wild animals. But the virus can also spread through direct contact with a rash or sores of someone who has the virus, experts warn.

The latest outbreak in Europe and beyond seems tied to sex at two rave parties in Spain and Belgium. Indeed, this wave appears to have a link with sexual activity, with many to most infections being found in gay and bisexual men so far, health officials have said.

"The current cases are primarily spreading among men who have sex with men, so this group is now at greater risk of exposure," the city's health department tweeted.

Experts warn that anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, is potentially at risk of catching monkeypox.

More information about monkeypox for New Yorkers can be found here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.