Monkeypox is a virus experts are watching closely, as it was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization last week.

While Monkeypox is not an STI, officials hope the messaging surrounding safe sex practices will help decrease STI rates as well.

Health experts said the numbers are decreasing in Virginia and nationally.

Two biopharmaceutical companies will give $5 million and $500,000, respectively, to nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad that are responding to the growing monkeypox outbreak.

Some health experts are concerned about the number of monkeypox cases in the U.S. as students are back to school. The CDC says there are more than 18,000 confirmed cases in the country. The Biden Administration declared it a public health emergency.

The monkeypox vaccine will now be offered to more people in Virginia.

As Monkeypox continues to spread in the United States, local health officials have begun administering vaccines to those most at risk.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,972 cases of monkeypox across 44 states.

The first case of monkeypox has been reported in Central Virginia, according to the Virginia Dept. of Health.

The Virginia Department of Health said on Monday that there is a new presumed case of monkeypox in the Northwestern region of Virginia, bringing the total number of cases in Virginia to 27.

According to the release, there are now five additional presumed cases of monkeypox in the state, bringing up the total number of cases to eight since May.

Nigeria has recorded its first death from monkeypox in 2022 while Congo has confirmed nine deaths and 465 cases this year.

The Virginia Department of Health announced the first presumed monkeypox case in the state on Thursday.