Expert: Monkeypox epidemic can be transmitted through 2 large gay parties in Europe -

WHO expert: Possible 'dangerous sexual behavior' at 2 gay parties in Europe

On May 23, WHO infectious disease expert David L. Heymann pointed out that the monkeypox epidemic could be linked to sexual acts at two large-scale gay parties in Spain and Belgium.

A summary of sources shows that on May 15, 2022, about 80,000 people attended the 'world's craziest gay party' on the Spanish island of Canaria, and now people from many countries are taking part in the party. This party has been infected with monkeypox virus (monkeypox). Looks like this is a 'super-contagious event'.

Infectious diseases expert David L. Heymann at the WHO told the AP news agency that the monkeypox outbreak in the developed world was described as a 'random event' that took place at two gay parties. large scale in Spain and Belgium. The main route of transmission may involve frenzied sexual activity at the party. Monkeypox did not previously cause widespread outbreaks outside of Africa and was primarily an epidemic in animals.

He said the African monkeypox epidemic had never spread outside of Africa before, which also meant that this wave of epidemics in Europe was very different from before. He said: 'We knew monkeypox could be spread when you were in close contact with someone who was sick, but now it seems that sex is also widespread.

Hymann further stressed that monkeypox is not capable of causing widespread spread, this is not a new corona virus, not airborne, we have a vaccine to prevent it and need to move quickly. conducting research to determine if monkeypox can be spread from people who have had no symptoms. He recommends that those at risk take precautions to protect themselves.

Expanding vaccine production

Monkeypox is caused by a virus that is rarely seen outside of Africa, but in recent weeks has been reported in at least 17 countries including the US, UK, Spain, Portugal, Australia. Now governments are looking for a vaccine to prevent this virus, notably the Danish vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic (Denmark) is expanding production of smallpox vaccine, the vaccine This advance capital is usually reserved to deal with situations.

The American newspaper WSJ reported on May 23, CEO Paul Chaplin of the smallpox vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic said that depending on demand, the company will plan to expand production, the company has plant in Canada with an annual capacity of about 30 million doses of smallpox vaccine.

Mr. Chaplin said that dozens of countries have called to inquire about smallpox vaccine stocks, but stocks are limited and the company will produce more doses in the coming weeks and months. Last week, the US government placed an order of 119 million USD for smallpox vaccine. Chaplin revealed that the US plans to continue buying $180 million worth of smallpox vaccine with a total order volume of about 13 million doses.

According to WHO data, the effectiveness of the Bavarian Nordic smallpox vaccine against monkeypox virus is 85%. The US CDC's Deputy Head of Pathogens and High Consequences Pathology Jennifer McQuiston said on May 23 that it has released a smallpox vaccine in response to a recent outbreak of smallpox. Monkey season in America. The planned release of the Jynneos vaccine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 and is manufactured by the Bavarian Nordic company.

But the US CDC said it was 'unlikely to order mass vaccination because monkeypox is not easily transmitted from person to person', but the disease can still be transmitted by close contact. According to the US CDC, within 4 days of being exposed to monkeypox virus, a smallpox vaccine can prevent the onset of symptoms, but vaccination within 14 days of exposure The virus can still relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Monkeypox virus (monkeypox) spreads mainly among monkeys of Central and West Africa, first appearing in humans in 1970, most patients develop blisters and rashes on the face and body along with other symptoms. symptoms such as fever, pain, chills and fatigue. Previous data showed a mortality rate of 10%, which is now spreading in many parts of Africa including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has reported 1238 cases so far this year. disease with 57 deaths.