The World Health Organization (WHO) reviews reports that the monkey pox was identified in the semen of patients, exploring the possibility that the disease could be transmitted sexually, a WHO official said on Wednesday.
According to the WHO, the virus is mainly transmitted through close contact between people.
But in the last few days, Scientists have detected viral DNA in semen from a group of monkeypox patients in Italy and Germany.
“We really need to focus on the most frequent mode of transmission and we clearly see that it is associated with skin-to-skin contact,” Catherine Smallwood, WHO’s smallpox incident manager for Europe, said in a press conference.
More than 1,300 cases of the viral illness have been reported from 32 countries, mostly in Europe, since early May. Most cases have been reported in men who have sex with men.
Given this epidemiological scenario, the WHO will convene the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations next week to assess whether this outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern.
Vaccination of priority groups
The WHO recommended, this Tuesday (14), the smallpox vaccination for priority groups including at-risk healthcare workers, laboratory staff working with orthopoxvirus, clinical testing specialists who perform diagnosis for the disease, and others who may be at risk according to national public health authorities.
The first WHO recommendations on the subject were published in an interim guide from the consultancy of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). In the document, the WHO emphasizes that the mass vaccination is not necessary nor recommended for smallpox at the moment.
(With input from Lucas Rocha of CNN; edited by Angus MacSwan)
Source: CNN Brasil
