Expert: Monkeypox likely spread by sex at 2 raves in Europe
By MARIA CHENG
AP Medical Writer
LONDON (AP) — A leading World Health Organization adviser says the unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox in developed countries is “a random event” that might be explained by sexual behavior at two recent raves in Europe. Dr. David Heymann formerly headed WHO’s emergencies department. He says the leading theory to explain the spread of the disease was sexual transmission at raves in Spain and Belgium. Monkeypox has not previously triggered widespread outbreaks beyond Africa. Many of the European cases have been among men who have sex with men, but anyone can be infected through close contact with a sick person. Scientists say it will be difficult to disentangle whether the spread is being driven by sex or merely close contact.
