Over 18,000 cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70% of cases reported from the European Region, and 25% from the Region of the Americas.
Geneva: At a Covid-19 media briefing, director general of World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked men at risk of monkeypox to consider limiting sexual partners for now.
“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,” Ghebreyesus said.
Over 18,000 cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70% of cases reported from the European Region, and 25% from the Region of the Americas. So far, five deaths have been reported, and about 10% of cases are admitted to hospital to manage the pain caused by the disease.
Also Read: Monkeypox cases in India: Centre asks screening of passengers
“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. The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others,” the director general said.
“The focus for all countries must be engaging and empowering communities of men who have sex with men to reduce the risk of infection and onward transmission, to provide care for those infected, and to safeguard human rights and dignity. Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus, and can fuel the outbreak,” he further said.
He added, “Although 98% of cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can get monkeypox, which is why WHO recommends that countries take action to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.”
WHO has recommended targeted vaccination for those exposed to someone with monkeypox and for those at high risk of exposure, including health workers, some laboratory workers, and those with multiple sexual partners. “At this time, we do not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox,” Ghebreyesus said.
