Cases have been reported in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.
All cases “are among gays, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men,” she said.
Valenski called for an approach “driven by science, not stigma”.
“This is a community that has strength and has demonstrated the ability to tackle the challenges of its health by focusing on compassion and science,” she said in an obvious reference to the AIDS epidemic.
“While some groups may have a greater chance of exposure at the moment, infectious diseases are not interested in national or international borders. They are not contained in social networks and the risk of exposure is not limited to any specific group, “she warned.
Valenski called on Americans “to approach this epidemic without stigma and without discrimination.”
The CDC is working to learn more about the outbreak: Samples from the nine identified cases have been sent to the CDC for further confirmatory testing and genomic research, Valenski said, and is working to learn how each individual became infected with the virus.
Some of the nine cases have a recent history of international travel to areas with active monkeypox outbreaks, she said, but “others do not.”
The United States expects more cases to be diagnosed as the CDC urges doctors and Americans to watch out for symptoms.
“We should not be surprised to see more cases reported in the United States in the coming days. This is, in fact, a sign that Americans remain vigilant and that health care providers and public health workers are doing their job, “said Dr. Raj Punjabi, White Senior Director of the House of Health Security and Biosecurity.
This is breaking news and will be updated.
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