So far, more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been detected in 78 countries. since early May, according to figures reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In view of the imminent increase in this virus, which has claimed five lives, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO, advised gays to reduce the number of intimate partners being the group most affected by the disease.
(See also: One-third of monkeypox cases are reported in the Americas; Colombia already adds 12)
“For men who have relationships with other men, this also means, for the time being, reducing the number of intimate partners and exchanging information with any new relationships to be able to contact them” in case of symptoms, so that they can isolate themselves. Ghebreyesus explained.
99% of cases occur in men, and 98% say they have relationships with men, often with multiple partners, and have been spread through intimate contact exposure.
For its part, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that more than 5,000 cases of monkeypox have been detected in 18 countries in the Americas, but the most affected countries They are the United States (3,500 cases), Canada and Brazil (with about 700), and Peru (200).
“To date, no deaths from monkeypox have been reported in our region, where almost all cases occur in men between the ages of 25 and 45 who have sex with men,” PAHO said at a press conference.
According to the WHO, the main symptoms of this virus are:
- Skin lesions in the form of a rash, pimples, blisters on the face, mouth, hands, feet, chest, among other areas.
- Fever may develop.
- Swelling of the lymph nodes.
- Headache and muscle pain.