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Top House investigator to HHS: Declare monkeypox emergency now

House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney wants the Biden administration to declare the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency, saying health officials must deploy every tool available in combatting the fast-moving disease.

Mrs. Maloney, New York Democrat in a tough primary race this year, said the administration took positive steps, including the release of over 780,000 vaccine doses this week, but it might not be enough.

New York City has been the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the U.S.

Mrs. Maloney wants Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to invoke Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act and declare an emergency.