Monkeypox in the Mix: Could It Be Going Swinging?
In a jaw‑dropping twist from Rome, scientists at the Spallanzani Institute have spotted fragments of the monkeypox virus floating in semen samples from several Italian patients. This discovery has sparked the hot debate: Is the disease creeping up the chain of sexual transmission?
What We Know About Monkeypox Now
- Traditionally, the virus spreads through close contact with another infected person.
- Typical sources: skin lesions (think “characteristic blisters”) or big respiratory droplets.
- In the current global outbreak, many cases pop up among sexual partners who had “intimate and close contact.”
The Sperm–Virus Connection
Scientists previously found the virus in four semen samples on June 2, and now they’ve expanded that to six out of seven patients at the hospital. One patient, in particular, produced a sample that seemed ready to send its bad selves to a new host.
Despite these findings, Dr. Francesco Vaia from Spallanzani cautions that “it’s not conclusive enough to say the virus has mutated into a new transmission mode.” Still, the presence of virus in semen tilts the odds heavily toward sexual transmission being a key pathway.
What the World Health Organization (WHO) Says
Dr. Vaia announced the data to WHO, but the agency has, so far, stood by—no comment yet. It’s a classic case of “wait for the official word.”
Why All the Sensation?
- More than 1,300 confirmed cases across 30 countries.
- The majority are circulating in Europe—most in men who have sex with men.
- Unlike its African origins, the virus is now happening away from travel‑to‑Africa scenarios.
German Genders & European Specs
On June 6, German researchers published a study (yet to be peer reviewed) that also found monkeypox DNA in the semen of two patients. Yet, DNA doesn’t always equal an infectious beast.
According to Dr. Carlos Maluquer de Motes of the University of Surrey, “DNA detection doesn’t guarantee crypto‑viral presence.” The same goes for Zika and other viruses discovered in guys’ semen—unclear if it ramps up risk.
Experts Still Debate
Dr. Enrico Bucci from Temple University remarks: “We’re suspicious—and it’s quite likely—but we don’t have the solid evidence yet. We’ll get the scoop after more lab work.”
So, while the early findings hint at the possibility of sexual transmission, the scientific community remains on a “more experiments, less conclusion” path. Until the lab can prove it, the story is still unfolding—keep scrolling for the next chapter!
