In Spain the first victims of monkeypox. WHO: 'Reduce the number of sexual partners'

By Cristiano Antonino On Jul 30, 2022

Monkeypox: there are 18,000 cases worldwide, two thirds of them in Europe: the record number of infections is in Spain, where the first two deaths were recorded

WHO on the three monkeypox deaths in Spain

“To raise awareness about monkeypox virus transmission, related prevention and protection measures and the symptoms and signs of monkeypox among communities that are currently affected elsewhere in this multi-country epidemic (such as, but not limited to, gays, bisexuals and other men who have sex with men (Men who have sex with men-MSM, individuals with multiple sexual partners, ed.) as well as among other population groups that may be at risk (e.g. prostitutes, transgender people)”.

Thus on the World Health Organisation’s website on measures to reduce the risk of monkeypox infection, which now numbers 18,000 cases worldwide, with two thirds in Europe and the first two deaths in Spain, in a now global state of emergency.

Efforts to ‘focus risk communication and community support efforts on settings and places where intimate encounters take place (e.g. meetings focused on MSM-men having sex with men and sex venues on site)’, the WHO prevention guidance continues.

Monkeypox deaths in Spain, WHO: ‘best remedy is to reduce risk of exposure’

Against monkeypox, “the best remedy is to reduce risks of exposure”, was the statement by the director general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who in a tweet also reiterated the need for caution regarding a widely spread narrative now linking the virus to male homosexuality: “Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus”, Ghebreyesus said.

The WHO recommendation is to ‘engage key community groups, sexual health and civil society networks to increase the provision of reliable and factual information on monkeypox and its potential transmission within populations or communities that may be most at risk of infection’.

This includes ‘engaging and supporting organisers of large- and small-scale events as well as with owners and operators of sex venues to promote individual protection measures and risk-reducing behaviour’.

In several contexts, the WHO recommendation continues, ‘this would include limiting skin-to-skin contact or other forms of close contact with other symptomatic persons, could include promoting reduction in the number of sexual partners where relevant, including with regard to events with sex venues on premises, use of protective measures and practices, including during and related to small or large gatherings of communities at high risk of exposure’.