Microbiologist Alexander Gintsburg, director of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, shared his feelings with the state-run TASS news agency at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gintsburg told the news outlet that “naturally, [a vaccine] is needed,” to control the virus, as it is rapidly spreading throughout the globe with no explanation.<\/p>\n “Today, no one can explain why this infection, which was endemic to the African continent, is spreading across the globe for no apparent reason. I am afraid that it cannot be explained by untraditional sexual contacts only. The number of confirmed cases is growing day after day,” Gintsburg told TASS.<\/p>\n A significant proportion, but not all, of confirmed monekypox cases are among men who have sex with men<\/a>. Monkeypox, however, is not a sexually-transmitted disease. Several organizations and campaigners have warned<\/a> against attaching a stigma to the virus.<\/p>\n Monkeypox is mainly transmitted through close, direct contact. Therefore, it is easily explained why it may spread among sexual partners.<\/p>\n However, the reason for a higher proportion among men who have sex with men, is unclear.<\/p>\n Russia’s sanitary agency, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, claimed on June 8 that there are no monkeypox cases in Russia, TASS reported.<\/p>\n According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 1,158 monkeypox cases have been recorded across 22 EU\/EEA countries. The center reported that worldwide, 1,882 cases have been confirmed.<\/p>\n Russia liberalized some of its LGBTQ+ laws following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, there remain many obstacles for the community in the country.<\/p>\n According to the Council for Global Equality, Russian authorities have repeatedly denied to allow Pride parades and “condoned anti-LGBT statements by government officials.”<\/p>\n A law passed in 2013 banned the distribution of propaganda about “non-traditional” sexual relationships to minors. Russia uses language such as “non-traditional”, “traditional values” or “traditional family,” in laws concerning the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n There has been concern that the stigma concerning gay and bisexual men, attaching itself to monkeypox, could hinder LGBTQ+ communities across the globe.<\/p>\n In recent days, there has been concern surrounding the community in Iraq in particular.<\/p>\n Homosexuality is legal in Iraq, however people can be arrested for public indecency.<\/p>\n![\"Alexander](\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/2059646\/alexander-gintsburg.jpg?w=790&f=e714e6bd26a842718abcee8842bc849c\")
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![\"Monkeypox\"](\"https:\/\/d.newsweek.com\/en\/full\/2059639\/monkeypox.jpg?w=790&f=03d7c595d5bb97a2082f7eba17c54757\")
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