After California’s governor Gavin Newsom declared on Monday a state of emergency, California became the second state in three days following New York to expedite the combat against the Monkeypox outbreak.

According to California’s public health officials, approximately 800 cases of monkeypox have been reported, with Newsom announcing San Francisco has 305 cases as of Monday, August 1.

Mode of infection and California’s precautions against it

The monkeypox virus spreads easier through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, as well as through the sharing of bedding, towels, and clothing.

Although the type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak is rarely fatal, Newsom’s administration said the state’s response is building on the steps developed during the coronavirus pandemic to set up vaccination clinics and make sure there is outreach to vulnerable populations in cooperation with local and community-based organizations.

The World Health Organization has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

Read more: WHO: Number of People Diagnosed with Monkeypox Increasing