Six Monkeypox-Related Deaths in the US Highlights the Ongoing Public Health Threat: Could the Country Eliminate the Virus?

At least six more monkeypox patients in the US died last week, two in Chicago, two in New York, and one in Nevada and Maryland. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that as of Friday, October 21, there are six deaths in the country.

State health departments announced the six deaths on Thursday and Friday. Nationally, the US records 27,884 cases out of the 75,348 global cases.

US Monkeypox-Related Death Cases

On Friday, the Chicago Department of Public announced two deaths in which both cases had multiple other health conditions, including weak immune system aside from monkeypox disease. They are adults hospitalized for six weeks after contracting the virus.

"Our hearts go out to these individuals' families and friends," CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady said in the announcement. She noted that although the number of monkeypox cases in the country is declining, the deaths remind the public that the disease outbreak is dangerous and can cause serious illness and even death in rare cases.

The Maryland Department of Health has also released a statement announcing that the person was immunocompromised and cited the monkeypox as a "contributing factor" in their death.

Michigan deputy secretary for public health services, Dr. Jinlene Chan, said that the human monkeypox virus is still circulating in the country and causing illness and death. Dr. Chan encourages the public to protect themselves by getting vaccinated, especially those immunocompromised or at-risk individuals.

Meanwhile, CBS News reports that New York City recorded two monkeypox-related deaths on Thursday in which both patients had prior health issues.

The sixth death was reported in Nevada on Thursday, per Southern Nevada Health District described the patient as a 50-year-old male with underlying medical conditions.

Can the US Eradicate the Monkeypox Virus?

Based on CDC's monitoring, monkeypox cases have declined since they peaked in early August, and they have been at the lowest since June. However, the virus continued to circulate and infect people. Health experts attribute the success to behavioral changes among those at high risk of the infection and quick uptake of vaccines.

Some experts are hopeful to see a regional elimination, potentially a national elimination as well, where cases continue to drop in the coming days. But still, new infections have not declined per CDC's data as vaccination in certain groups, like Black or Latino men, are at lower rates.

On the other hand, some experts are not that optimistic. According to NPR, there are still unknown factors that could affect the trajectory of the outbreak and the possibility that the virus could mutate.

But monkeypox may not need to be wholly eradicated in the country for it to no longer be considered a national public health emergency. Outbreaks may be more limited and localized as cases decline in major cities.

Check out more news and information on Monkeypox in Science Times.