TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Health and Human Services Department to provide a comprehensive presentation on the Monkeypox Virus and the current public health impacts it is having locally and nationally.
DISCUSSION
Since early May 2022, the World Health Organization reports that cases of monkeypox have been reported from countries where the disease is not endemic and continue to be reported in several endemic countries. Most confirmed cases with travel history reported travel to countries in Europe and North America, rather than West or Central Africa where the monkeypox virus is endemic. This is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters have been reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate geographical areas.
The number of monkeypox cases in L.A. County has doubled in the last week, with 120 confirmed or probable cases as of July 20, 2022, according to the Department of Public Health. Locally in Long Beach we have begun to see cases diagnosed and have developed a public health response.
As a result of this growing public health concern, the City Council and the public would benefit from a study session update on the medical science as well as the public health response and issues associated with the current Monkeypox outbreak.
This item has been reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on July 28, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager work with the Health and Human Services Department to provide a comprehensive presentation on the Monkeypox Virus and the current public health impacts it is having locally and nationally. This recommendation is anticipated to require a minimal level of staff hours beyond normal budgeted scope of duties and have a minimal impact on City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUZIE PRICE COUNCILWOMAN,
DISTRICT 3