WHO has been working with partner countries to create a mechanism by which some vaccines for smallpox - a related disease - might be made available to countries that are affected, as research continues into their effectiveness against the new outbreak.
Scientists warn that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is susceptible to catching monkeypox if they are in close, physical contact with an infected person or their clothing or bed sheets. Last month, a leading adviser to WHO said the outbreak in Europe and beyond was likely spread by sex at two recent rave parties in Spain and Belgium. It said controlling the disease relies primarily on measures like surveillance, tracking cases and isolating patients. health agency does not recommend mass vaccination, but advises the 'judicious' use of vaccines. 'We don't want to wait until the situation is out of control to start calling the emergency committee.' But it doesn't mean that we are going straight to a public health emergency of international concern,' he said, referring to WHO's highest level of alert for viral outbreaks. 'With the advice from the emergency committee, we can be in a better position to control the situation.
