LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) – The World Well being Group is investigating reviews that the monkeypox virus is current within the semen of sufferers, exploring the likelihood that the illness might be sexually transmitted, it stated on Wednesday. a WHO official.

Many instances within the present monkeypox outbreak, largely centered in Europe, are amongst sexual companions who’ve had shut contact, and the company reiterated that the virus is transmitted primarily by means of shut interpersonal contact.

In latest days, scientists say they’ve detected viral DNA within the semen of a handful of monkeypox sufferers in Italy and Germany, together with a lab-tested pattern that urged the virus present in a single affected person’s semen was able to infecting one other individual and replicating Learn Extra

Catherine Smallwood, monkeypox incident supervisor at WHO/Europe, stated it was not identified whether or not latest reviews meant the monkeypox virus might be sexually transmitted.

“This will likely have been one thing we weren’t conscious of earlier than on this illness,” he informed a information convention.

“We actually must give attention to essentially the most frequent mode of transmission and we clearly see that it’s related to skin-to-skin contact.”

Greater than 1,300 instances of the viral sickness have been reported by some 30 international locations for the reason that starting of Could. Most instances have been reported in males who’ve intercourse with males.

The outbreak has raised concern because the virus isn’t seen outdoors of Africa, the place it’s endemic, and most European instances are usually not associated to journey to the continent.

Because the outbreak spreads, the WHO has beneficial focused vaccination of shut contacts, together with well being employees, however has warned that there’s already a rush to stockpile vaccines.

“As soon as once more, a ‘me first’ method may have detrimental penalties sooner or later,” stated Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe.

“I urge governments to deal with monkeypox with out repeating the errors of the pandemic and by maintaining equity on the coronary heart of every part we do.”

Reporting by Natalie Grover and Jennifer Rigby in London; Edited by Angus MacSwan and John Stonestreet

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