The vast majority of recent monkeypox cases have been transmitted through sexual contact, according to the largest study to date, which also shows the vast majority of those affected were gay men.
This study, published this Thursday in the scientific journal New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed data from more than 520 cases in 16 different countries (Canada, United States, Europe, etc.), spread over two months between the end of April and the end of June. In total, according to the doctors who treated these cases, 95% were due to sexual contact.
“It’s important to emphasize that monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection in the traditional sense; it can be contracted through any close physical contact” with an infected person, said study lead author John Thornhill.
“But our work suggests that most of the transmission so far is related to sexual activity.”
Most gay or bisexual men
The skin lesions observed, mainly anal, on the genitals or in the mouth, could represent the inoculation areas, the study points out. Analysis of semen from 32 people showed the presence of virus DNA in 29 cases, but further studies are needed to determine whether transmission can occur by this route.
In total, 98% of the cases studied were homosexual or bisexual men. The median age was 38 years. Nearly 41% were infected with HIV, the AIDS virus, but the vast majority of them were on treatment. No deaths were recorded among the cases studied, and most were mild cases.
Despite everything, 13% were hospitalized. The main reasons were pain in the anorectal region or skin infections. But then no serious complications were observed.
Source: BFM TV
