There are now more than 150 cases of the monkeypox virus in Georgia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s almost 50% more than last week.
Infectious disease doctors say gay men continue to be hit hardest by this virus; despite this, Channel 2’s Audrey Washington spoke to metro health officials about why this isn’t just a gay men’s disease.
Doctors in Washington said the vaccine is available in metro Atlanta, but is still relatively limited.
Most clinics in the metropolitan area are set up specifically to vaccinate men who have sex with other men. According to the CDC, this group is at the highest risk.
Larry Walker knows how quickly the monkeypox virus can spread.
He is the director of THRIVE SS, an Atlanta-based organization that provides support to black, gay, and bisexual men living with HIV.
“Unfortunately, they’re living with a virus,” Walker said. “I know a couple of people who currently have it.”
Walker said he is alarmed by the large number of people in the gay community testing positive for monkey pox.
“It’s very scary to see the pictures and hear about people suffering with this,” Walker said.
The CDC has just confirmed that there are now nearly 160 cases of the monkeypox virus in Georgia and more than 2,500 cases nationwide.
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“It is transmitted through open wounds, touch, mucous membranes or large droplets,” said Dr. Jonathan Colasanti, medical director of the Grady Health System’s Infectious Disease Program at its Ponce de Leon Center.
He said although we are seeing higher cases in the gay community, monkeypox is not just exclusive to men who have sex with other men.
“I think it’s very important not to paint this as a gay or homosexual disease. Anyone can get it,” Colasanti said.
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Walker agrees, saying it’s important not to attach a stigma to people who contract the virus.
“It’s a skin-to-skin disease. There’s no such thing as gay skin or straight skin. But I think it’s irresponsible. It puts a lot of unnecessary stigma on people who love the same gender,” Walker said.
Now the focus is on ways to prevent the spread. Both Walker and Colasanti say it starts with taking the right precautions.
Colasanti says it’s important for people to “have the radar going if couples are having breakouts.”
“We all have a responsibility in terms of preventing the spread of this disease,” Walker said.
The US Department of Health and Human Services is providing thousands of additional vaccines to Georgia.
All people at risk are urged to get vaccinated.
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