Advice from WHO to men at risk of monkeypox

The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday advised men at risk of catching monkeypox to consider reducing their sexual partners “for the moment”, following the UN health agency's declaration the escalating outbreaks in multiple countries to be a global emergency.

WHO Director-General, TedrosAdhanom Ghebreyesus said “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."

98% of the monkeypox cases detected since the outbreaks emerged in May have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.More than 19,000 cases have been reported in more than 75 countries; deaths have only been reported in Africa.