Misinformation about monkeypox (or monkeypox in English) is increasing at the same rate as the number of infected people in Brazil who are already responsible for one death.
This Tuesday (10), WHO (World Health Organization) spokesperson Margareth Harris, at a press conference in Geneva, expressed her regret at the news that monkeys in Brazil were killed by people who feared they could transmit the disease.
As with the Covid-19 pandemic, experts warn of an increase fake news, misinformation and stigmatizing terms that associate the disease with certain groups. And worst of all: myths about covid-19 have already become the new disease.
Monkeys can’t be blamed
international health journalism coalition Internews Health Journalism conducted a survey that identified key myths and approaches that no one speaking or writing about monkey disease on social media, blogs or in the press should adopt.
One of them is direct transmission by animals.
Although monkeypox is associated with primates, they are not responsible for transmitting the disease. The natural reservoirs of the virus are small mammals, primarily rodents.
It was named “monkey pox” in 1958 because the virus was discovered in a group of sick African monkeys being studied in a laboratory in Denmark.
“People need to know that the transmission we’re seeing right now is human-to-human,” Margaret Harris said. “People shouldn’t attack animals,” he said.
Monkeypox is not an STD
Despite the high number of cases associated with gender – 95% according to research published in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) – monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The virus can be transmitted through both sexual intercourse and physical contact.
A person can become infected, for example, by touching tissue or skin fluids from an infected person. Respiratory droplets and contaminated objects are also routes of transmission.
Monkeypox is not a disease of gays and bisexuals
NEJM published a study last month that said 98% of people diagnosed with the virus were gay or bisexual under the age of 40. About 530 people from 16 different countries were evaluated.
However, these data do not mean that the disease is exclusive to men who have sex with men, but rather that it was the first to reach this group, Internews states.
In fact, anyone who has not been vaccinated against “common” smallpox, which is also protective against monkeypox, can become infected.
According to the Internews guide, stereotyping certain communities distorts the true picture of monkeypox, resulting in misinformation. Also, creating a distorted image of a group can affect global public health as a whole, according to the document.
It is worth remembering that in the 1980s, when HIV began to make headlines in the global press, the virus that causes AIDS was labeled the “gay plague”. As a result, the group suffers the consequences to this day.
this Internews Health Journalism He also said that associating monkeypox with homosexuals and bisexuals could further harm the lives of those living in countries that criminalize same-sex consensual relationships.
“Tropical Disease” Is Misinformation About Monkey Disease
The label “tropical disease”, sometimes used to refer to monkeypox, is outdated and should be forgotten, according to the document. This is because the term links the disease to some specific region.
For example, at the height of the novel coronavirus pandemic, some bloggers and journalists called SARS Cov-2 the “Chinese virus” or the “Wuhan virus”. The use of expressions created prejudice against the Asian population.
Also Read | Journalist Alex Berenson ‘canceled’ by Twitter for spreading false information about Covid-19
HE Internews Health Journalism It emphasizes that the pinning of health problems in certain places can serve as an excuse for public policy makers to exempt themselves from responsibility and limit resources for the health system.
What African experts say
Monkeypox is native to the African continent. The first human case was reported in 1970 in a child in the Republic of the Congo.
Since then, scientists around the world have recorded some events in other countries – most of them associated with people traveling to the area or consuming infected animals.
The truth is, many African experts have been fighting the virus for over 50 years.
this Internet Health Journalism recommends that those most interested in the disease carefully monitor how countries across the continent are dealing with the problem, either through the websites of research centers or through social networks:
“There are many examples of monkeypox prevention and care in African countries that have successfully overcome epidemics in the past.
Knowing and sharing the experiences of African scientists and health professionals not only helps the public learn about best practices that help slow the spread of smallpox, but also alleviates unnecessary fear of the disease.”
No fanfare and misinformation about Monkeypox
The guide also recommends paying attention to panic. Despite the increasing number of cases, monkeypox does not spread easily, unlike Covid-19. In addition, the document emphasizes that the lethality is low.
“The spread of smallpox can be stopped by raising awareness of how the virus spreads and how to protect yourself.”
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/USA), there were 23,620 infected people in 80 countries as of Monday (8/1).
WHO tips
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published some simple recommendations for preventing contagion between people, which can be shared in chats with friends, posts on social networks, or text and videos about monkeypox:
- When caring for a person with smallpox, encourage the patient to cover injuries with a light bandage or clothing if possible;
- Put on a mask and ask the patient to wear a mask as well;
- Avoid skin contact with the patient’s skin and wear disposable gloves;
- Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol after touching the person or their belongings, such as clothing (including bedding) and eating utensils;
- Wash clothes, towels, sheets and cutlery with warm water and detergent;
- Wear a mask when handling any clothing or utensils;
- Clean and disinfect all contaminated surfaces and dispose of contaminated waste.
complete guide for Internews Health Journalism You can find it here.
Recycled Covid-19 misinformation for Monkeypox
In early June, researchers Strategic Dialogue Institute (ISD) has mapped reused Covid-19 conspiracy theories for monkey disease.
Among them was that there would be a consequence of the disease.and coordinated work with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to restrict individual freedoms and impose “totalitarian control” over people.
Knowing the facts and not sharing memes or posts on social media without a reliable source is an important step to help contain the disease.
Also Read | Covid fake news ‘recycled’ for monkeypox, study shows
source: Noticias
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