Navigating Public Health Challenges Amidst Disease Outbreaks

Public health experts know what it takes to get a disease outbreak under control - widespread testing and treatment, and vaccines made available to communities most at risk.

But in the last two months of the Monkeypox outbreak, the response has not met the need. And there's been criticism that the missteps look a lot like the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, with more than 1,400 confirmed cases in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more help is on the way. Testing capacity is increasing along with vaccine doses.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky about the federal government's response to Monkeypox and whether it's enough to contain the outbreak.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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