Monkeypox outbreak seems to be transmitted sexually

[scutty brown]

Something to watch out for while punting
With the cessation of smallpox vacccination / variolation most people won't have resistance.
Death rates can reach 10%

UK monkeypox outbreak ‘unprecedented’ as officials say sexual contact likely route of transmission
Sudden emergence of cases, and uncertainties around how and where individuals contracted virus, has left scientists puzzled, with sexual contact seen as likely route of transmission

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Personally I reckon it's another attack by the Russians.

[JD69]

There's no evidence to suggest that yet. It requires close contact to transmit and that's what it's got. The STD angle could be right in the future but far too early to say. That's the comments from leading epidemiologists, not me.

[datwabbit]

London and NE at the moment.

[Stevelondon]

London and NE at the moment.

Bloody typical.
I live in London but travel to the NE to visit family (place of my birth) ….

Suppose I’ll have to punt in the midlands then.
 

[lamboman]

BBC predictably loving Monkeypox and an opportunity for that Mr Burns lookalike correspondent to have another 5 minutes of fame tonight WAC.

[JustaPunter]

Load of crap by scaremongering MSM

You can get it from skin to skin contact, but it’s not an STD

[Jimmy The Gent]

Bloody typical.
I live in London but travel to the NE to visit family (place of my birth) ….

Suppose I’ll have to punt in the midlands then.
 

Keep your diseases away from us Midlanders! It sounds like unless you're fucking geezers you should be OK, though.

[simon07]

Is it the gay community that is linked with this?

[Bummer]

They seem to be but depends on which media outlet you believe

[JustaPunter]

Is it the gay community that is linked with this?

It could just as easily be the straight community

Since it is transmitted by skin to skin contact.

[YorkshireLad]

What a coincidence the next ‘pandemic’ appears just as the WHO pandemic treaty comes into force this weekend

[GingerNuts]

What a coincidence the next ‘pandemic’ appears just as the WHO pandemic treaty comes into force this weekend

It doesn't though. Discussions about a global pandemic treaty are taking place at the World Health Assembly which starts this weekend.

[Bonker]

Ready to avoid, dont fuck scutty.
 

[Jayj]

Suggestion is it’s being spread via saunas / massage parlours a nod towards sexual services where potentially hygiene standards won’t be as rigorous as a legit massage establishment where surfaces will be sterile after each client.

“Monkeypox can be spread through close contact with an infected animal or human,” Anne Rimoin, professor of epidemiology at UCLA, told The Telegraph. “This includes contact with respiratory droplets, lesions or bodily fluids. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated materials such as bed linens, clothing or towels.”

[GingerNuts]

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Monkeypox could have a "massive impact" on access to sexual health services, doctors have warned.

Staff at clinics are already having to isolate if they have come into contact with anyone infected.

In London, where most of the UK's 20 identified cases have been detected, sexual health clinics have stopped people walking in altogether.

[puntingking]

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Monkeypox is not a serious virus so it would not stop me from punting.

I will just make sure that i am well before seeing a wg and i will also make sure that she is well before we see eachother to decrease the chance of transmission between eachother.

Monkeypox may be serious for those with compromise immune systems but i am in good health.

[Festa]

One case in the North East. I hope it was not in Hartlepool. They have a historical animosity to monkeys....

[Doc Holliday]

What a coincidence the next ‘pandemic’ appears just as the WHO pandemic treaty comes into force this weekend

Don't let medical science get in the way of a good conspiracy.

Make no mistake, these outbreaks represent a very marked change in the epidemiology of this virus, which has been around for a very long time. Human to human transmission has been unusual and rare even in Africa. It is possible that the virus has mutated to give it a transmission advantage? This is being looked at.

Still early days, but one to watch with interest. It is also likely to affect more the opposite end of the age spectrum, as us 'oldies' born in the sixties and earlier, are more likely to have received the smallpox vaccination, which will offer some protection.

[Dipper]

A Vax side effect being claimed in some quarters. 

[Home Alone]

One case in the North East. I hope it was not in Hartlepool. They have a historical animosity to monkeys....

  

[scutty brown]

One case in the North East. I hope it was not in Hartlepool. They have a historical animosity to monkeys....

That only happened because they thought he was a frenchman

[Dipper]

‘Auto immune blistering’ 

[Festa]

That only happened because they thought he was a frenchman

Is there a difference?

[Steelworker]

Don't let medical science get in the way of a good conspiracy.

Make no mistake, these outbreaks represent a very marked change in the epidemiology of this virus, which has been around for a very long time. Human to human transmission has been unusual and rare even in Africa. It is possible that the virus has mutated to give it a transmission advantage? This is being looked at.

Still early days, but one to watch with interest. It is also likely to affect more the opposite end of the age spectrum, as us 'oldies' born in the sixties and earlier, are more likely to have received the smallpox vaccination, which will offer some protection.

Indeed. Early genomic analysis suggests same strain as couple of years ago  but I suppose it’s watch this space.

[LLPunting]

Suggestion is it’s being spread via saunas / massage parlours a nod towards sexual services where potentially hygiene standards won’t be as rigorous as a legit massage establishment where surfaces will be sterile after each client.

“Monkeypox can be spread through close contact with an infected animal or human,” Anne Rimoin, professor of epidemiology at UCLA, told The Telegraph. “This includes contact with respiratory droplets, lesions or bodily fluids. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated materials such as bed linens, clothing or towels.”

Who, of any kind of authority, made the suggestion?

[LLPunting]

Indeed. Early genomic analysis suggests same strain as couple of years ago  but I suppose it’s watch this space.

"Same" as in exactly the same?  Which would suggest artificial replication and deliberate/accidental release by humans.
"Same" as in "clearly" evolved from the previously identified strain?  Which would at least support a possible accidental exposure to Nature.

[maxxblue]

Indeed. Early genomic analysis suggests same strain as couple of years ago  but I suppose it’s watch this space.

It would be helpful to back up with reference. 

[Doc Holliday]

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Initial sequencing suggests it is broadly the same strain as the small number of historical cases outside of Africa, but full sequencing will take a lot longer. Something is making it more transmissible?

[jeanphillipe]

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Initial sequencing suggests it is broadly the same strain as the small number of historical cases outside of Africa, but full sequencing will take a lot longer. Something is making it more transmissible?

Or as some would say,  somone
.. can someone tell Bill Gates to have a day off.

[Inajeep]

Just the next step in the Great Reset where Boris' boss Klaus Schawb wants us to own nothing...but be happy.  Food shortages all part of that plan as well.

[advent2016]

Something to watch out for while punting
With the cessation of smallpox vacccination / variolation most people won't have resistance.
Death rates can reach 10%

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Personally I reckon it's another attack by the Russians.

I'd like to see if there's any research regarding oral sex (BBBJ/CIM/Snowball/swallow) as a vector.  I might switch to only receiving for a while

[scutty brown]

I'd like to see if there's any research regarding oral sex (BBBJ/CIM/Snowball/swallow) as a vector.  I might switch to only receiving for a while

Unlikely to make any difference
Contact is contact

[scutty brown]

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It's remarkable that a disease which requires direct physical contact to transmit should simultaneously appear in twelve countries.
There's either been a lot of international sex, or there's been some kind of deliberate multicountry release

he World Health Organization said it expects to identify more cases of monkeypox as it expands surveillance in countries where the disease is not typically found.

As of Saturday, 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported from 12 member states that are not endemic for the virus, the U.N. agency said, adding it will provide further guidance and recommendations in coming days for countries on how to mitigate the spread of monkeypox.

"Available information suggests that human-to-human transmission is occurring among people in close physical contact with cases who are symptomatic", the agency added.

Monkeypox is an infectious disease that is usually mild, and is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. It is spread by close contact, so it can be relatively easily contained through such measures as self-isolation and hygiene. See EXPLAINER:

"What seems to be happening now is that it has got into the population as a sexual form, as a genital form, and is being spread as are sexually transmitted infections, which has amplified its transmission around the world," WHO official David Heymann, an infectious disease specialist, told Reuters.

Heymann said an international committee of experts met via video conference to look at what needed to be studied about the outbreak and communicated to the public, including whether there is any asymptomatic spread, who are at most risk, and the various routes of transmission.

He said the meeting was convened "because of the urgency of the situation". The committee is not the group that would suggest declaring a public health emergency of international concern, WHO's highest form of alert, which applies to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said close contact was the key transmission route, as lesions typical of the disease are very infectious. For example, parents caring for sick children are at risk, as are health workers, which is why some countries have started inoculating teams treating monkeypox patients using vaccines for smallpox, a related virus.

Many of the current cases have been identified at sexual health clinics.

Early genomic sequencing of a handful of the cases in Europe has suggested a similarity with that spread in a limited fashion in Britain, Israel and Singapore in 2018.

Heymann said it was "biologically plausible" the virus had been circulating outside of the countries where it is endemic, but had not led to major outbreaks as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns, social distancing and travel restrictions.

He stressed that the monkeypox outbreak did not resemble the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic because it does not transmit as easily. Those who suspect they may have been exposed or who show symptoms including bumpy rash and fever, should avoid close contact with others, he said.

"There are vaccines available, but the most important message is, you can protect yourself," he added.

[bigden40]

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……

So, is the biothreat real? Is is imminent? Does it justify the global media hype? As I was waiting in an airport lounge to travel from USA to the UK two days ago, I saw a newsreel from CNN which was breathlessly reporting on this “threat” while displaying historic images of patients suffering from Smallpox disease. This provides a classical example of public health fearporn, in my opinion, and CNN should be reprimanded for broadcasting irresponsible propaganda - misinformation and disinformation- under the guise of journalism.

In my opinion, based on currently available information, Monkeypox is a virus and disease which is endemic in Africa, emerges sporadically after transmission into humans from animal hosts, and is typically spread by close human contact. It is readily controlled by classical public health measures. It does not have a high mortality rate. Unless there has been some genetic alteration, either through evolution or intentional genetic manipulation, it is not a significant biothreat, and has never been considered a high threat pathogen in the past.

So stop the fear mongering, misinformation and disinformation.

[CatBBW]

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It's remarkable that a disease which requires direct physical contact to transmit should simultaneously appear in twelve countries.
There's either been a lot of international sex, or there's been some kind of deliberate multicountry release

I agree that this seems remarkable, for the cases to all appear at the same time. But there's been a suggestion (I read, somewhere) that there was a "superspreader event" - an adult sauna party. It's not beyond the realms of imagination that a group of, say, 30 people of differing nationalities while on a sex/fun holiday attended this party, one of whom was carrying the pox, then everyone else went home and gave it to their loved ones/other partner(s).

[scutty brown]

I agree that this seems remarkable, for the cases to all appear at the same time. But there's been a suggestion (I read, somewhere) that there was a "superspreader event" - an adult sauna party. It's not beyond the realms of imagination that a group of, say, 30 people of differing nationalities while on a sex/fun holiday attended this party, one of whom was carrying the pox, then everyone else went home and gave it to their loved ones/other partner(s).

I hope you're right Cat, the alternative is too unpleasant to contemplate
Not as bad as smallpox but potentially 10% kill rate.
Effective bioterror weapon

[maxxblue]

I hope you're right Cat, the alternative is too unpleasant to contemplate
Not as bad as smallpox but potentially 10% kill rate.
Effective bioterror weapon

3.6% 

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[Lou2019]

Personally I reckon it's another attack by the Russians.

More nonsense from you 

[scutty brown]

3.6% 

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It's actually variable depending on the strain. Some reach 10% some are lower, hence my comments "up to" and "potentially". We still don't know the strain yet - or if it's modified to enhance infection

[scutty brown]

More nonsense from you 

No more nonsensical than nerve gas attacks in Salisbury
Putin's in a war with the west and breaking morale through biological warfare is within his game plan

[maxxblue]

It's actually variable depending on the strain. Some reach 10% some are lower, hence my comments "up to" and "potentially". We still don't know the strain yet - or if it's modified to enhance infection

The ECDC has said that the west African clade, the type so far seen in Europe, has a case fatality rate of around 3.6% 

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[scutty brown]

The ECDC has said that the west African clade, the type so far seen in Europe, has a case fatality rate of around 3.6% 

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OK, hadn't spotted that
3.6% is still enough to cause significant social disruption

[Lou2019]

OK, hadn't spotted that
3.6% is still enough to cause significant social disruption

Get that tinfoil hat ready   

[Stiltskin]

This is never going to become a pandemic.

Firstly you have to be symptomatic before you become infectious and the pox is pretty hard to hide, especially in an intimate situation.

This is a DNA virus (Covid is an RNA virus) DNA viruses are far slower to mutate, probably a hundred or a thousand times slower.

We already have a vaccine for this and the older generations may have already had a smallpox vaccine which may help.

[Stiltskin]

OK, hadn't spotted that
3.6% is still enough to cause significant social disruption

It depends how many people get infected. If we had 100 infections and 3 dead I'd be surprised.

[JayEZ2K]

Monkeypox is transmitted from the skin, mouth, genitals, and anus of an infected person, and then enters a new person primarily through close contact, including skin-to-skin contact, kissing, oral sex (genital/anal). Monkeypox can also be transmitted by bedding and inhaled droplets so it's not technically or strictly an STI, however, the prolonged skin-to-skin contact and potential transmission of fluids (mucous, genital, anal) mean that sex is a powerful transmission route. The majority of infections in the UK (so far) are between gays and bisexuals, indicating a sexual transmission route.

The incubation period is 1-3 weeks.

Monkeypox is infectious from 5 days before showing symptoms and for the duration of the presence of active skin lesions. Typically people are no longer infectious when rash lesions crust, dry or fall off.

The recent fatality rate is 3-6% but can go as high as 11% (External Link/Members Only). (The fatality rate is even higher in young children.)


So far there are less than a dozen cases in the UK, but given the incubation period (1-3 weeks), there are likely several more people incubating the virus, and spreading the virus right now. Most news agencies are protecting the gay community by not implicating them in transmission, but they won't be as nice if there is an outbreak in the punting community. And this would likely lead to bad press for sex work and punting, and potential regulation and backlash. It's worth keeping punting to a minimum (punting as necessary) until this blows over.



There have been a simultaneous appearance of 92 cases of monkeypox with outbreaks in 12 countries that are not endemic for the virus within just a 1 week span (External Link/Members Only, External Link/Members Only). Given the route of spread and incubation period, this makes it very likely to have been intentionally released simultaneously in several countries. Because it is relatively minor compared to much more lethal viruses, perhaps it is just a "warning shot".

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[willie loman]

surprised no one has mentioned the gay pride in gran canaria.

[Bopcrown]

Something to watch out for while punting
With the cessation of smallpox vacccination / variolation most people won't have resistance.
Death rates can reach 10%

External Link/Members Only

Personally I reckon it's another attack by the Russians.

For work in 2019 I did write a whole TACCP on bio attacks needing to be released before war was declared to be effective. Got shot down for being a doomsayer.

[JayEZ2K]

Monkeypox is infectious from 5 days before showing symptoms and for the duration of the presence of active skin lesions.

Edit: Asymptomatic spread hasn't been documented, but that doesn't mean it doesn't occur.

"Infection with monkeypox virus begins with an incubation period. A person is not contagious during this period." External Link/Members Only

"What seems to be happening now is that [monkeypox] has got into the population as a sexual form, as a genital form, and is being spread as are sexually transmitted infections, which has amplified its transmission around the world," WHO official David Heymann, an infectious disease specialist, told Reuters.

Heymann said an international committee of experts met via video conference to look at what needed to be studied about the outbreak and communicated to the public, including whether there is any asymptomatic spread" External Link/Members Only

[scutty brown]

surprised no one has mentioned the gay pride in gran canaria.

probably because it's not on the radar for most of us, presumably it's what Cat was thinking about in her post
Dates 5th May - 15th May 2022 so yes, that could fit
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