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Is IHS on top of monkeypox outbreak?

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Is IHS on top of monkeypox outbreak?

Navajo Nation confirms first case.

Rob Capriccioso
Aug 25, 2022
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Is IHS on top of monkeypox outbreak?

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WASHINGTON — With the Navajo Nation confirming its first case of monkeypox this week — and cases among Natives having previously been reported in D.C. and California — the Indian Health Service (IHS) is continuing to step up its public health efforts, according to agency officials.

Earlier on in the monkeypox outbreak in the U.S., some major Native influencers and health advocates were critical of and questioning the IHS response:

Twitter avatar for @janaunplgd
jana @janaunplgd
Wondering how IHS clinics are faring with information and vaccines for monkeypox. Our clinics need to be equipped by the beginning of the school year as Native kids are at considerable risk. We gotta talk about this stuff babes. There’s a ton of disinfo out there.
6:50 PM ∙ Jul 27, 2022
348Likes46Retweets
Twitter avatar for @Atagahi
ᎠᏔᎦᎯ Atagahi @Atagahi
@janaunplgd FYI, as of this morning, @IHSgov will receive a very limited number of monkeypox vaccines, which will be limited to those with known exposure. Still limited to state lab testing (delaying treatment) and no TPOXX to treat, as far as I’ve heard.
1:38 PM ∙ Jul 28, 2022
Twitter avatar for @Atagahi
ᎠᏔᎦᎯ Atagahi @Atagahi
@janaunplgd @meghanloyd As of last week, no testing at IHS-contracted labs, have to send to state labs. No vaccines. No TPOXX or other treatments. @IHSgov apparently does not have a plan.
11:37 PM ∙ Jul 27, 2022
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IHS has since pushed back against the notion that it doesn’t have a plan, although it is noteworthy that a permanent IHS director has still not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to oversee this ongoing health situation, as well as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Indian health funding and other policy challenges facing the agency:

Twitter avatar for @IHSgov
IndianHealthService @IHSgov
The IHS is working closely with our partners across the government to explore ways to enhance access to monkeypox medical countermeasures in #IndianCountry, including vaccines & medications. Visit cdc.gov/poxvirus/monke… for more on how to prevent getting monkeypox. #NativeHealth
cdc.govMonkeypox in the U.S.Learn more about monkeypox in the United States.
5:17 PM ∙ Jul 29, 2022
5Likes3Retweets

Native health advocates are noticing improvements:

Twitter avatar for @Atagahi
ᎠᏔᎦᎯ Atagahi @Atagahi
@IHSgov finally seems to have increased access to TPOXX to treat monkeypox cases. A bit late since Natives have been having cases since late June we now know. But better late than never. @HHSGov and @CDCgov have thoroughly messed access for Natives up from the beginning.
3:09 PM ∙ Aug 24, 2022
Twitter avatar for @Atagahi
ᎠᏔᎦᎯ Atagahi @Atagahi
@HHSGov @CDCgov communication to Natives about monkeypox was worse than I’ve ever seen. It seriously reminds me of the Reagan era. Native media @IndianCountry and @indianz also dropped the ball on this. Everyone failed us. At least @indianz had the story yesterday.
3:09 PM ∙ Aug 24, 2022

The National Indian Health Board on August 26 is holding an online meeting about monkeypox in Indian Country:

Twitter avatar for @NIHB1
NIHB @NIHB1
ANYONE can become infected with monkeypox. Join us on August 26 for the second webinar in our Vaccine Week series! Register at: bit.ly/3QPUCgI #NativeHealth #HealthyNativeCommunities #ProjectFirstline #NIHB #COVID-19 #VaccineHesitancy
Image
2:02 PM ∙ Aug 23, 2022
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How is monkeypox impacting your Indigenous community? Email us.

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Is IHS on top of monkeypox outbreak?

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3 Comments
Ron Eagleye Johnny
Aug 26, 2022

I will likely get nasty replies to this but this needs to be said.

Monkeypox is only spread by a small percentage of the men who have sexual relations with other men; men who can’t control their urges because they lack compulsion control. If these men would just control the number of times they try to sink their “golf club” into the next golf course hole we would not have to have IHS spend any funds on this reckless human behavior. Monkeypox is not a threat to children unless they are being sexually abused by an infected

man.

It is time for the LBG_ _, whatever, communities to stop the spread of Monkeypox by simple education means not expensive vaccines.

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