Scientists recently detected viral DNA in the semen of a handful of monkeypox patients in Italy and Germany.
The World Health Organization is looking into reports that the monkeypox virus is present in the semen of patients, exploring the possibility that the disease could be sexually transmitted, a WHO official said on Wednesday.
In recent days, scientists say they have detected viral DNA in the semen of a handful of monkeypox patients in Italy and Germany, including a lab-tested sample that suggested the virus found in the semen of a single patient wasCatherine Smallwood, monkeypox incident manager at the WHO's Regional Office for Europe, said it was not known whether recent reports meant the monkeypox virus could be sexually transmitted.
More than 1,300 cases of the viral disease have been reported by about 30 countries since early May. Most cases have been reported in men who have sex with men.