The thought of a new virus impacting businesses is probably the last thing anyone wants to hear after two years dealing with Covid-19.
But the declaration of a public health emergency in the U.S. means that companies should also increase their awareness and preparations for the monkeypox virus. Companies should now build a plan that details how they will respond to the virus and what tactics they will implement to mitigate its impact. From a strategic or tactical perspective, ignoring the virus is no longer a viable business option.
While CDC data shows that there are more than 23,000 total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases in the United States, at the time of writing, unfortunately there remains real potential for the virus to mutate into a more contagious strain and directly impact businesses, or to enter into child or youth communities where the spread can accelerate.