Monkeypox - Unravelling the On-going Stigma-A Mini Review

Abstract

Introduction: The ongoing public health crises of monkeypox and poliomyelitis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, have been straining both, the international as well as national health systems significantly. Despite having been first discovered in captive monkeys, thus the name, the information at hand points to the African rodents as the natural reservoir. Rats, mice, monkeys, prairie dogs, squirrels, and humans have all contracted infections [2]. Review: John P Thornhill et al. have reported 528 infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24, 2022, at 43 sites in 16 countries. It has been reported that WHO officials are working on a new name for the virus and disease commonly known as monkeypox to reduce racism and stigma [1,8]. Owing to the fact of a very low CFR in this type, experts are of the view that the prevailing social stigma is that the monkeypox disease is transmitted sexually, especially through male-to-male sex, which dissuades people from reporting, despite developing symptoms [3,5,6]. Due to gay couples being a societal taboo, there are many unreported cases, hindering the testing process which may further lead to an unchecked spread in the country [6]. Researchers use the term, ‘HMPXV’ which stands for the human version of the monkeypox virus, referring to the virus driving the current outbreaks in Europe and North America, distinguishing it from those more commonly found in animals in Africa. According to the WHO, ‘names should be given with the aim to minimise the unnecessary negative impact on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare, and avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups,’ as reported in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Conclusion: Although monkeys are not the primary route of transmission, the disease is known as monkeypox because it was first observed in monkeys, by Danish scientists. Monkeypox is not known to be particularly contagious, and transmission often involves some level of close contact. Therefore, Monkeypox is not always transmitted sexually, though it is a form of intimate contact.