Joe Biden raises concerns about monkeypox outbreak

U.S. President Joe Biden has officially touched town in Japan arriving at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo

Shortly prior to departing South Korea for Japan, the President addressed reporter’s questions regarding the recent outbreak of the Monkeypox virus.

The virus has now been detected in the United States, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.

Biden says his health advisers have not yet briefed him on the “level of exposure” of the disease other than noting its spread would be “consequential.” 

“It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential,”

Joe biden

On-board Air Force One, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later told reporters the U.S. has one million vaccine doses ready to go.

Monkeypox is a rare virus which is usually seen in African nations, but recent cases in a number of Western nations has authorities concerned.

The World Health Organisation says it is currently tracking 80 confirmed cases and 50 possible infections across 11 countries. 

The organisation says it is is working with affected countries to expand disease surveillance, support people who may be affected, and providing guidance on how to manage the disease.

Monkeypox spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal.