The World Health Organization will be meeting next week to determine if monkeypox now qualifies as a global health emergency. While the raw numbers are still low, epidemiologists are concerned because of the level of global transmission and because cases are cropping up without clear links to one another, suggesting broader spread. The most recent New York cases are not linked to travel, suggesting person-to-person transmission is taking place in New York City, the city health department said. As of Wednesday, there were 16 cases identified in New York City, among 84 around the country.
Since May 13, when the first case in the outbreak was reported in Europe, more than 2,000 people in 35 countries outside Africa have been diagnosed with the virus.
