DATE: August 9, 2022
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
FROM: CHRISTOPHER A. CALLIHAN, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR VACCINES AND INFORMATION ON THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS RECOMMENDATION MOTION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing submittal of a letter from the City Council of Salinas to the City’s State and Federal representatives in support of funding for vaccines and information related to the monkeypox virus.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing submittal of a letter from the City Council of Salinas to the City’s State and Federal representatives in support of funding for vaccines and information related to the monkeypox virus. The letter would be signed by all members of the City Council.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name “monkeypox.” However, the virus affects other mammals with the first human case recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since May 14, 2022, clusters of monkeypox have been reported in several countries that do not normally have monkeypox; cases outside Western and Central Africa are extremely rare. The most-recent cases do not have direct travel-associated exposure risks; many of these cases have involved individuals without history of travel to an endemic country and appear to have been transmitted through intimate contact.
On August 1, 2022, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in California over the spread of the monkeypox virus in an effort to “bolster the state’s vaccination efforts.” A copy of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order is attached to this Report for reference. Nearly 800 cases have been confirmed in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. The state reported that 98.3% of those cases were confirmed in men, the majority of whom identify as part of the LGBTQ community.
As of August 2, 2022, there have been four (4) confirmed and probable cases of monkeypox virus among Monterey County residents. A “confirmed” case indicates both orthopox and monkeypox PCR tests have been completed and are positive. “Probable” cases have positive orthopox PCR test results, but either the monkeypox PCR was not done or monkeypox PCR tests are pending.
This item is being brought forward to the full City Council at the request of Council members Rocha and González.
DISCUSSION:
On July 23, 2022, in response to a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox outside those countries where the virus is usually found the World Health Organization determined that monkeypox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of August 1, 2022, there are more than 20,000 cases of monkeypox globally and more than 4,000 confirmed probable cases in the United States, with California experiencing nearly 800 confirmed and probable cases in twenty-seven (27) local health jurisdictions.
California may be in the early stages of a monkeypox pandemic and, unfortunately, there is a lack of readily-available an accurate information about the virus, including how it is spread, and a lack of readily-available tests and vaccines. Fortunately, a vaccine exists for people who have been exposed to monkeypox or who may be more likely to get the virus. There is a limited supply of the vaccine in California, however, so the State is distributing its limited supply based on a formula that considers current monkeypox cases and the number of high-risk individuals. It is therefore critical to combatting the continued spread of monkeypox that accurate information be readily-available and distributed and that tests and vaccines be readily-available. Additionally, information about the virus should be developed and distributed with an equity-based lens: Attention should be paid to ensuring the information is available in Spanish, as well as English, and using trans-inclusive and sensitive language. The proposed Resolution attached to this Report provides that the City Council will submit a letter to the City’s State and Federal representatives urging them to, among other things, make funding available to improve vaccine availability, testing, disease identification, contact tracing, and treatment.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City Council’s approval of the proposed Resolution is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The City Council’s approval of the proposed Resolution is not among the items within the City Council’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan; however, the City’s support of funding for vaccines and information to combat the spread of monkeypox is consistent with the City Council’s goals of supporting community safety and of providing an effective and culturally responsive government.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The City Council’s approval of the proposed Resolution does not have any fiscal impact on the City.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATIONS
The City Attorney’s Office coordinated with Council members Rocha and González on the scheduling of this item for the City Council’s consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Executive Order; Emergency Proclamation (Governor Newsom) RESOLUTION NO. ____________ (N.C.S.)
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR VACCINES AND FOR INFORMATION ON THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS WHEREAS, monkeypox is a formerly rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus; and WHEREAS, monkeypox has recently spread to non-endemic countries including the United States; and
WHEREAS, monkeypox primarily spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, sex, kissing, breathing at very close range, or sharing bedding and clothing; and WHEREAS, monkeypox is spreading quickly and is disproportionately impacting populations of men who have sex with men and trans people; and
WHEREAS, there is a lack of adequate testing, a lack of a sufficient supply of vaccines, a lack of distribution of information related to the cause and the spread of monkeypox, and likely undercounting of infected individuals given the lack of access to widespread testing; and WHEREAS, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada are now offering monkeypox vaccines to anyone deemed at high risk of infection, while the United States continues to limit the vaccine to people at high risk of infection with presumed exposures, leaving many at high risk of exposure without access to the vaccine.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF SALINAS as follows:
The City Council of the City of Salinas will send a letter to the City’s State and Federal representatives to include, among other things, the following:
A call on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate the purchase and distribution of monkeypox vaccines; and A call upon the State of California to provide supplemental funding to support efforts to expand testing, vaccination, treatment, and education outreach related to monkeypox.
A copy of this Resolution will be included within the City Council’s letter.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of August, 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
________________________________
Kimbley Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk
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The states of New York and Illinois have also declared emergencies due to monkeypox.
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