Close contact during sex seems to be a key route for monkeypox virus (MPXV) transmission. In a recent study, Palich et al. investigated viral loads in clinical samples of men in Paris, France, with MPXV infection with the aim of understanding the distribution of MPXV in the human body and how this distribution may be influencing viral transmission. 356 samples from 50 men were collected from various anatomical sites including skin, anus, throat, blood, urine and semen at diagnosis and 2 weeks later. At diagnosis, MPXV was most frequently detected in skin, anus and throat samples, and viral loads were highest in skin and anus samples. At day 14, the proportion of positive samples substantially decreased relative to day 0 at all sites. High viral loads on the skin and mucosa suggest that transmission most likely occurs through direct contact as opposed to contact with bodily fluids or respiratory transmission.