World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised men at risk of contracting monkeypox to consider reducing the number of their sexual partners for now after the UN health agency declared the escalation of outbreaks in many countries a global emergency, the Associated Press reported.

The head of the WHO said that 98% of the monkeypox cases identified since the outbreaks began in May are among gay men, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. He urged those at risk to take protective measures. It means making safe choices for yourself and others, for men who have sex with men, Ghebreyesus said adding that includes, for now, reducing the number of sexual partners.

Infected people should isolate and avoid gatherings that involve close physical contact, and people in general should receive the contact details of all new sexual partners in case they need follow-up, the WHO chief said.

At the same time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not suggest that men who have sex with men reduce the number of their sexual partners, but only avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that could be monkeypox.

WHO representatives stressed that monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone who has close contact with a sick person or his contaminated clothing or bedding. The UN health agency has warned that the disease may be more severe in vulnerable populations such as children or pregnant women.

To date, more than 19,000 cases have been reported in more than 75 countries, with deaths reported only in Africa.