Also read: Monkeypox: Causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment

And if classified so, "people will think the virus spreads only via sexual act, and might not take all the other necessary contact precautions".

Experts, however, have also argued that fear of stigmatising the disease has set public health back.

Last week, Guardian columnist Owen Jones had argued that "if we're not clear about where the risk is, it's completely self-defeating because that's who we have to prioritise talking to and protecting".

"The vast, vast majority of cases are in gay and bisexual men, and pretending that that's not the case doesn't help any of us. I really wish more attention had been paid to gay and bisexual men," added sexual health activist and researcher Will Nutland.

Jayadevan agreed and said: "But by not focusing enough on the high-risk groups and vaguely claiming instead that 'everyone is at risk', we are failing to limit whatever process that is actually pushing the virus forward."

Gilada suggested "the government to ramp up testing" like it did during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We must have our own testing kits to help people test themselves, which will also help curb the cases," he told IANS.

Currently, 15 of the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) are conducting preliminary tests for Monkeypox infection. The VDRL conducts an RT-PCR test looks for orthopoxviruses -- a family of viruses, including Monkeypox, cowpox, buffalopox, and the eradicated smallpox.

The samples are simultaneously confirmed via RT-PCR to specifically detect Monkeypox virus at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.

Mass vaccination has not been recommended, only at-risk populations are being given smallpox doses. But as during the pandemic, vaccines are limited to rich countries like the US, the UK and Canada and some in Europe.

The ICMR, meanwhile, has issued an open call for Monkeypox vaccine development proposals from commercial businesses to safeguard those most at risk.

Gilada said this is again an opportunity for Indian pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines not only for Indian citizens, but also for the global population.

Also read: Monkeypox spread leading to queer stigma?

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