Monkeypox: Gay Men Should Reduce Sexual Partners, Advises WHO Chief
monkeypox outbreaks around the world.The U.N. agency declared the MPV outbreaks a global emergency over the weekend, which designates the outbreaks as needing a global response to stem the spread of the virus across borders.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, that 98 percent of global MPV cases confirmed since May have been among men who have sex with men.“This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities, and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,” Tedros urged. “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.” “In addition to transmission through sexual contact, monkeypox can also be spread in households through close contact between people, such as hugging and kissing, and on contaminated towels or bedding,” the WHO chief said.
He added that stigma and discrimination around the virus would only contribute to the outbreak.He recommended that those with MPV isolate and avoid being in close physical contact with others.
