Cases have been identified in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.
All the cases “are within gay men, bisexuals and other men who have sex with men,” she said.
Walensky called for a “science-guided, not stigma-driven” approach.
“This is a community that has the strength and has demonstrated the ability to address the challenges of their health by focusing on compassion and science,” he said in an apparent reference to the AIDS epidemic.
“While some groups may be more likely to be exposed right now, infectious diseases do not care about state or international borders. They are not contained on social media and the risk of exposure is not limited to any particular group.” , he warned. .
Walensky urged Americans “to approach this outbreak without stigma and without discrimination.”
The CDC is working to learn more about the outbreak: Samples of the nine identified cases were sent to the CDC for additional confirmatory testing and genomic research, Walensky said, and efforts are being made to find out how each individual contracted the virus.
Some of the nine cases have a recent history of international travel to areas with active outbreaks of smallpox, he said, but “others do not.”
The United States is waiting for more cases to be diagnosed, as the CDC has urged doctors and Americans to be on the lookout for symptoms.
“It should come as no surprise to see more cases reported in the United States in the coming days. It’s actually a sign that Americans are being vigilant and that health care providers and public health workers are doing their part. work, “said Dr. Raj Panjabi, White. Senior Director of Health Security and Biodefense.
This is breaking news and will be updated.