The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday that droplets are considered a “minor” route of transmission for mpox, while emphasizing the need for additional research to fully understand how the virus spreads.
According to the WHO, mpox (formerly known as ‘monkeypox’) primarily spreads through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, and mouth-to-skin interactions.
WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris explained during a press briefing that while it is possible for droplets to transmit the virus when an infected person speaks or breathes closely on another individual, this is a relatively minor source of transmission.
“if you’re talking closely to someone, breathing on them, physically close, face-to-face, there is a possibility” of viral spread,” Harris noted. However, she stressed that such cases are less common compared to other modes of transmission.
Harris also highlighted that understanding the transmission dynamics of the virus will require “further research.” She added that objects and surfaces used by an infected person could carry the virus, posing a risk of infection if proper precautions are not taken.
In light of these findings, the WHO recommends regular cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects, as well as thorough hand washing after coming into contact with potentially contaminated items.
The WHO currently advises that masks be worn only by healthcare workers and those in direct contact with an infected individual. The organization does not recommend widespread mask usage among the general population.
This announcement comes as the WHO recently elevated the global alert level to its maximum due to the spread of mpox in Africa and the emergence of a new, potentially more dangerous variant.
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