WHO backs pride parades, Says monkeypox no reason to shun LGBTQ gathering

The WHO said the outbreak of monkeypox should not be a reason to shun LGBTQ+ parades this summer. The UN health body added that it is important to show support to the marginalised community.

Andy Seale, the strategies adviser at WHO's department of sexually transmitted infections programmes, was speaking at a WHO social media briefing.

The UN official said it is important that people who want to celebrate gay pride continue to do so. He added that most pride parades are happening outdoors and they are family-friendly. The WHO does not see any real reason to be concerned about higher chances of monkeypox transmission at parades. Most of the reported cases of monkeypox were spread in closed spaces like nightclubs, reported Reuters.

Europe has been seeing an unusual spread of monkeypox and its origin is not yet traced. The infection has already spread to various parts of the world including North America. Over 300 suspected cases have been reported worldwide. It is a usually mild illness causing flu-like symptoms and skin lesions.

The health official pointed out that the disease can spread to anyone who has close contact with an infected person. Transmission usually happens due to skin-to-skin contact. Monkeypox is disproportional in association with homosexual activity.

New York has a pride march scheduled on June 26 and Berlin is celebrating gay pride on July 23. Several others are also celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the summer.

WHO also clarified that the chances of a monkeypox outbreak outside Africa leading to a pandemic is minimal. Monkeypox is endemic to the African continent. Around 12 nations -

Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone - have reported outbreaks before.

It is not clear if infected people with no symptoms can spread the disease.