WHO says 52% of people confirmed to have mpox living with HIV
52 percent of individuals with confirmed monkeypox (mpox), as per the World Health Organization (WHO), are HIV-positive.
The organization disclosed this on Thursday in a declaration commemorating World AIDS Day 2022.
The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, observed on December 1, is ‘Equalize to End AIDS: Equal Access to Treatment and Prevention Services’.
HIV remains a significant public health issue, according to the WHO, with 5.9 million individuals aware of their condition not receiving treatment.
“An additional 4 million individuals living with HIV have not yet received a diagnosis,” the announcement states.
“While 76 percent of adults overall were utilizing antiretroviral therapy that allows them to lead normal and healthy lives, merely 52 percent of children living with HIV were obtaining this therapy globally in 2021.
“70 percent of new HIV infections occur among individuals who are marginalized and often criminalized.”
Although the overall transmission of HIV has declined in Africa, according to the WHO, there has been no significant reduction among men who have sex with men over the last decade.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging global leaders and citizens to courageously recognize and tackle the inequalities that hinder progress towards achieving the global objective of ending AIDS by 2030,” the announcement states.
In assessing the overlap between HIV and mpox, the organization noted that its available data indicates that “among individuals confirmed to have mpox, a considerable number – 52% – were individuals living with HIV.”
“Global data reported to WHO indicates that individuals living with mpox with untreated HIV seem to be at greater risk for more severe illness than those without HIV,” the declaration states.
“The current response to mpox demonstrates that transmission can occur rapidly within sexual networks and among marginalized groups. However, it can also be prevented through community-led initiatives and open attitudes to address stigma, and the overall health and well-being can be enhanced, thereby saving lives.”
