AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV and AIDS healthcare organization, is seeing a reemergence of monkeypox (now known as mpox) and is encouraging anyone at high risk of contracting the infection to take the recommended precautions. AHF Wellness Centers recently have identified two positive cases in Los Angeles.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are at high risk—particularly those who in the past six months received a new sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis or had more than one sex partner. Monkeypox can lead to severe outcomes for individuals with weakened immune systems, including people living with untreated or advanced HIV. During the 2022 outbreak, there were 38 deaths associated with monkeypox in the US.

Monkeypox, which should be classified as an STI because its transmission is similar to that of other STIs like syphilis, most commonly is spread through skin-to-skin contact. Safer sex best practices, like using a condom, can reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox. At the same time, full vaccine coverage is critical to curbing the spread of monkeypox. Only 23% of people who would have benefitted from vaccination following the 2022 outbreak received the full two-dose series.

“AHF will continue to partner with local health departments and community-based organizations to promote ongoing awareness, testing and treatment services, and vaccination efforts,” said Alexander Goncalvez, AHF Senior Director of Public Health. “With Pride events and other large-crowd summer celebrations just around the corner, it’s important people know their risks and take precautions to protect themselves and others.”