Monkeypox Press Teleconference: Mon., 6/20 @ 11:00 am PT

Reuters reports the World Health Organization (WHO) is now investigating reports that scientists have detected viral DNA in the semen of a handful of monkeypox patients in Italy and Germany; preliminary findings suggest the possibility, yet to be confirmed, that virus may also be sexually transmitted

AHF, the largest global AIDS organization with treatment clinics or operations in 45 countries, will host a Zoom Press Teleconference MONDAY, June 20, at 11:00 am PT (2:00 pm ET) to discuss the recent global outbreak of monkeypox, which has disproportionately affected gay men or men who have sex with men.

AHF, which has recently diagnosed a few cases of monkeypox in its clinics in Los Angeles and South Florida, will strongly urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other health departments across the country to swiftly revisit and revitalize programs promoting condom use to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

AHF’s appeal comes following news last week that the World Health Organization (WHO) is now investigating reports that scientists have detected viral DNA in the semen of a handful of monkeypox patients in Italy and Germany. Reuters noted that the cases being investigated included “…a lab-tested sample that suggested the virus found in the semen of a single patient was capable of infecting another person and replicating.” (read more)

Reuters also reported, “Many cases in the current monkeypox outbreak, largely centred on Europe, are among sexual partners who have had close contact, and the agency reiterated that virus is mainly transmitted via close interpersonal contact.”

“While there is clearly much scientific research still to be done on this global monkeypox outbreak, including to determine if this virus may truly be transmitted sexually, AHF believes it is both reasonable and prudent to urge the CDC, the Los Angeles County Health Department and other health agencies to get back to basics and promote condom use as a prevention tool,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF.

Separately, the CDC reported last year that STDs reached an all-time high for the sixth consecutive year. In a press release issued in April 2021, the agency reported that 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea & syphilis were reported in 2019.

Health officials working in testing and prevention across the country report this trend appears to be continuing. Some credit (or blame) the fact that people are emerging from over two years of isolating COVID lockdowns as well as the fact that CDC and other health departments diverted both money—millions and millions of dollars—and other resources, including redeployment of staff away from STD and HIV testing and prevention to COVID testing.

“We know condoms can prevent a host of STDs, including HIV transmission as well as unwanted pregnancies. Until or unless the possible sexual transmission of monkeypox is ruled out, condom use remains a prudent public health approach that should be embraced and encouraged by health officials everywhere,” added Weinstein.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth, follow us @aidshealthcare or subscribe to our AHF podcast “AHFter Hours.”

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