Follow us for updates
© 2022 reportr.world
Read the Story →

Limit Sexual Partners to Stop Monkeypox Spread, Says WHO

Anyone can get it.
by Agence France Presse
Just now
Photo/s: Shutterstock
Shares

GENEVA -- As monkeypox cases surge globally, the World Health Organization called Wednesday on the group currently most affected by the virus -- men who have sex with men -- to limit their sexual partners.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who last Saturday declared monkeypox a global health emergency, told reporters that the best way to protect against infection was "to reduce the risk of exposure".

"For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed," he said.

EXPLAINERS:

What is Monkeypox, What are the Symptoms?

Beware of These Monkeypox Conspiracy Theories

A surge in monkeypox infections has been reported since early May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.

Tedros said Wednesday that more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with 70% of cases reported in Europe and 25% in the Americas.

Continue reading below ↓

Five deaths have been reported in the outbreak since May, and around 10% of those infected end up in hospital to manage the pain, he said. 

'Anyone' can get monkeypox

A full 98% of cases have occurred in men who have sex with men.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week found that 98% of infected people were gay or bisexual men, and 95% of cases were transmitted through sexual activity.

But experts say the transmission of the disease, which causes a blistering rash, appears to mainly happen during close, physical contact, and monkeypox has so far not been labelled a sexually transmitted infection (STI)

Experts also warn against thinking that only one community can be affected by the disease, stressing that it spreads through regular skin-to-skin contact, and also through droplets or touching contaminated bedding or towels in a household setting.

"Anyone exposed can get monkeypox," Tedros said, urging countries to "take action" to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.

Continue reading below ↓
Recommended Videos

The WHO has repeatedly warned against stigma around the disease, which could dissuade those infected from seeking treatment.

"Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus, and can fuel the outbreak," Tedros said.

Andy Seale of WHO's sexually transmitted infections program, stressed that the messaging around the need for gay and bisexual men to reduce their number of sexual partners was "coming from the communities themselves".

But he said this was possibly only "a short-term message as we hope that the outbreak of course will be short-lived".

He stressed that other measures would also be needed to bring down the number of cases, including spreading information about the symptoms to look out for and the need to isolate quickly, and access to tests and medicines.

No mass vaccination

WHO is also recommending targeted vaccination for those exposed to someone with monkeypox or for those at high risk of exposure, including health workers and those with multiple sexual partners.

Continue reading below ↓

"At this time, we do not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox," Tedros said.

Vaccines initially developed against smallpox -- monkeypox's far more deadly cousin which was eradicated over four decades ago -- have been found to protect against the virus, but the jabs are in short supply.

Tedros also highlighted that "vaccination will not give instant protection against infection or disease, and can take several weeks."

As for the supply challenges, he said there were about 16 million doses of the main vaccine, from Danish drug maker Bavarian Nordic, but that most of them were in bulk form.

"They will take several months to fill and finish into vials that are ready to use," he said, urging countries that have already secured doses to share.

"We must ensure equitable access to vaccines for all individuals and communities affected by monkeypox in all countries, in all regions."

Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
It's a life-changing step that requires preparation.
With the reopening of several local destinations, this app has never been more timely.
The 24-hour weather outlook from PAGASA.
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.