Monkeypox outbreak primarily spreading through sex: WHO officials

Monkeypox, a potentially fatal disease that has seen an alarming surge in cases in North America and Europe over the last three weeks,  can be spread through close contact. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most recent surge in cases appears to have been spread among men who have sex with other men, emphasising that anyone can contract monkeypox.

“While the virus itself is not a sexually transmitted infection, which are generally spread through semen and vaginal fluids, the most recent surge in cases appears to have been spread among men who have sex with other men,” said WHO officials.

“Many diseases can be spread through sexual contact. You could get a cough or a cold through sexual contact, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a sexually transmitted disease,” said Andy Seale, a strategic advisor with WHO’s HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programme.

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According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus that is related to smallpox but is less severe. According to findings in Africa, monkeypox can kill up to 1 in 10 people who develop the disease.