Episode #55: President Biden declares Monkeypox a public emergency, & health experts link viral infection’s spread to climate change

President Biden declared Monkeypox a public emergency earlier last month in efforts to combat the rising numbers of those infected by the viral disease.

Today the infection rates have climbed to 20,000 known cases in the United States, and 50,000 cases worldwide.

The outbreak has primarily been concentrated in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. However, health officials say anyone -- regardless of sexual orientation -- is at risk if they have been in close or personal contact with an infected person. Symptoms can include a rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes.

While Monkeypox has existed in Africa for decades, outbreaks of human to human transmission outside of the continent were first reported in mid-May. Experts say that environmental factors, including climate change, are continuing its spread.

With us today to talk about the issue is Saahir Khan, Assistant Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

He spoke to Digital Village co-host,  Leilani Albano.