Mistakes in handling HIV/AIDS pandemic could hinder monkeypox response, advocates say – CBC
UN officials fear monkeypox, COVID-19 and other threats are slowing progress in battle against HIV/AIDS
Jul 29, 2022
Top health officials say they are trying to limit the spread of the monkeypox virus while also preventing stigma against those most affected — particularly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men — but their messaging may be a part of the problem, according to some advocates.
More than 21,000 people, in over 70 countries, have contracted the virus, which causes painful sores and blisters among other symptoms. An estimated 98 per cent of confirmed cases are in men who have sex with men.
This week, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned stigma “can be as dangerous as any virus and can fuel the outbreak.” At the same time, he urged men who have sex with men to reduce their number of sexual partners or to reconsider having new sexual partners “for the moment.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which has reported at least 745 cases since the first two cases were detected in late May, also urged men who have sex with men to limit sexual partners, especially casual acquaintances.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/monkeypox-response-hiv-aids-crisis-1.6535478
