The disaster emergency declaration has been issued through Aug. 28 and authorizes state agencies to assist local governments in containing and recovering from the outbreak.
“I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront the monkeypox outbreak,” Hochul said in a statement to Twitter.
“This Executive Order enables us to respond more swiftly and allows health care professionals to take additional steps that will help get more New Yorkers vaccinated.”
Hochul further noted that more than 25% of monkeypox cases in the United States are in New York where it is “currently having a disproportionate impact on at-risk groups.”
“We are working around the clock to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity, and educate New Yorkers on how to stay safe,” Hochul said.
Monkeypox spreads through close, physical contact between people which the New York State Department of Health notes “means anyone can get monkeypox” though the current outbreak has primarily affected gay men.
“Health officials are concerned because monkeypox is spreading, and cases of monkeypox are presenting, in ways not typically seen in past monkeypox outbreaks,” the state’s health department website reads.