Monkeypox Spilling Out in Europe: Are We Shipping it With Your Love?
In a rare twist, the current monkeypox wave has been pushing its way into human contact rooms—mostly among folks who’ve had close chat or romantic liaisons. The WHO says it’s mostly skin‑to‑skin, not a distant email from a hamster shop.
New Twist: The Virus in the Pitch?
Scientists in Italy and Germany have fried a few samples from a handful of patients and found viral DNA tucked inside their semen. One lab‑tested specimen even proved the virus could jump from that semen to a fresh host and start replicating. Talk about a full‑throttle transmission!
Catherine Smallwood: “We’re Still Figuring It Out”
WHO Europe’s crisis commander, Catherine Smallwood, downplayed fears that monkeypox might become another secret–smuggler on the black market of sex. “We don’t know yet if sexual spread is happening,” she said at a press briefing. “This may be something we were blind to before,” she added, while reminding everyone that skin‑to‑skin remains the dominant way.
Stat Line: 1,300+ Cases, Mostly in Men Who Have Sex With Men
- Over 1,300 reported cases across ~30 countries since early May
- Most of those are men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Spread is mostly in Europe—no travel or African ties needed
WHO’s Plan: Vaccinate the Nearest Peeps, Don’t Hoard Vaccines
The WHO recommends targeting close contacts—including healthcare workers—for vaccination. But it’s already spotting a dangerous trend: countries rushing to hoard the shots. “If we all do a ‘me‑first’ shuffle, we’ll end up in a mess,” warned Hans Kluge, the European director at WHO. “Let’s fix this without making history repeat the pandemic, and keep equity as the compass,” he urged.
So, the bottom line? Monkeypox is here, it’s spreading mainly through skin contact, and a few new clues suggest it might have a secret in semen. Stay safe, keep conversations open, and let the experts guide the next steps.
