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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the total number of monkeypox cases reported worldwide has now climbed to over 18,000. The latest number, which came out this Wednesday, is from 78 countries, mostly in Europe (70 percent) and in the Americas (25 percent).

It can be remembered that WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday. WHO also noted that “98% of cases outside the countries in Africa where the virus is endemic have been reported in men who have sex with men,” Reuters reports.

In light of these data, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised the public that the best way to protect themselves against infection was to “reduce the risk of exposure.” He explained, “That means making safe choices for yourself and others.”

Further, he said, “For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed.” Read more about this story here.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. announced on Wednesday that they’ve cleared 786,000 additional monkeypox vaccine doses for immediate use.

Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement, “Aggressively responding to the monkeypox outbreak is a critical priority.” He added, “H.H.S. is working to make these doses available to states and jurisdictions as soon as possible to fulfill their needs and will announce allocations tomorrow.”

According to the New York Times, the U.S. has confirmed 3,600 cases since May, and the number is “among the highest tallies in the world.” They describe the figure as “almost certainly an underestimate.” Read more about this story here.

If you wish to learn more about monkeypox, you can revisit the article we wrote about it way back in May, here. For more information on symptoms, how it spreads, prevention, and vaccine among many others, click here and here.

Stay healthy and stay safe, guys!

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