WHO chief advises reducing sex partners to avoid monkeypox

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks during the opening of the World Health Organisation Academy in Lyon, central France, Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. (Denis Balibouse/Pool Photo via AP)

The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday advised men at risk of catching monkeypox to consider reducing their sexual partners “for the moment” following the U.N. health agency declaring the escalating outbreaks in multiple countries to be a global emergency.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 98% of the monkeypox cases detected since the outbreaks emerged in May have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. He called for those at risk to take steps to protect themselves.

“That means making safe choices for yourself and others, for men who have sex with men,” Tedros said. “This includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners.”