The ongoing threat of Monkeypox: transmission, symptoms and stigma

Illustration of a scientist researching a monkey smallpox virus. Credits: pexels.com by Anna Shvets

Although cases have decreased, transmission of the virus that causes mpox continues to circulate. One example is last Wednesday, there was a recent report on the mpox case in Chicago, United States, as quoted VOA News.

Therefore, even though the emergency status is revoked, vigilance against mpox is still needed.

“So there is a high probability of a resurgence of infection. Moreover, we admit that there are still gaps in knowledge, vaccine effectiveness and a lack of effective treatments, especially in African countries where cases of mpox transmission occur regularly,” said one of the chairmen of the International Health Regulations emergency committee. for mpox Nicola Low.

Symptoms of mpox often include a rash that may be located on the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, as well as fever, chills, and fatigue.

WHO reports 98 percent of cases occur among men who have sex with other men and can be spread from person to person through sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and through contaminated clothing, towels and bed sheets.

Tedros said the misinformed stigma that mpox is a “gay disease” has become a major concern in tackling the disease. This can hinder access to treat the disease.

As the outbreak spread late last year, trends in racist language and stigmatized online and in some communities against the term “monkey pox” were reported to WHO. After consultation with international experts, mpox was chosen as the new preferred term for the disease.