Unverified Information, Unchecked Facts, or Falsehood Spreading - The Dissemination of Misleading Information Regarding Mpox
This time around, it's not about Covid-19 causing havoc, but it's Monkeypox. Rumors are spreading like wildfire in certain circles of social media, with familiar conspiracy theories from the Covid-19 era now being applied to this disease, previously known as 'Affenpocken'.
Although the coronavirus has largely vanished from our daily lives in Germany, misinformation about Covid-19 is primarily shared among specific online groups. On the other hand, false claims about Monkeypox have recently gained traction on platforms such as Facebook, X, TikTok, Telegram, and so on.
As per Miro Dittrich from the Center for Monitoring, Analysis, and Strategy (Cemas), discussions about Monkeypox can also be found in right-wing extremist and conspiracy-theoretical Telegram channels. A looks into around 5,000 Telegram channels and groups in mid-August, revealed that the keywords "Affenpocken" or "Monkeypox" were mentioned frequently.
WHO's Misleading Image
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a "health emergency of international concern" due to the increasing spread of a specific Monkeypox virus variant (Clade Ib) in Africa. This move aimed to increase vigilance among global authorities.
However, a misleading statement spread online claimed that the WHO had simultaneously ordered governments to prepare for new mega-lockdowns. This is not true, and such a directive is unfounded: the international organization does not have the authority nor the capability to do so. "Only countries themselves have the sovereignty to make decisions and take measures for the health of their populations," explains WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic to the German Press Agency (dpa).
The narrative of an exaggerated WHO power grab has gained traction in recent times, especially during the Covid-19 era - and was just as false then as it is now.
Covid-19, Monkeypox, Misinformation
It appears that false claims from the pandemic are being directly transferred to Monkeypox. As per Cemas expert Dittrich, "conspiracy ideologists can still reach people, but the interest has significantly decreased to a specific group."
"If a new disease appears and there's a vaccination for it, it will naturally be fitted into the same narrative," Dittrich adds. "It doesn't matter to conspiracy ideologists how dangerous Monkeypox is, how it's transmitted, or what kind of vaccination helps against it."
It's worth noting that both viruses differ significantly from each other. The primary transmission route of both viruses differs greatly. While Sars-Cov-2 is primarily transmitted through tiny droplets in the air, skin-to-skin contact is the primary transmission route for Monkeypox.
This primarily concerns close skin-to-skin contact during sex or close hugging, massaging, and kissing. The risk of infection is particularly high among those with rashes, wounds, or scabs.
According to RKI reports, no confirmed cases of Mpox with clade I have been reported in Germany so far (as of 31.8.), which is believed to cause more severe illness than the previously circulating virus variant (clade IIb). Around 3,800 cases of clade IIb have been recorded nationwide by the RKI, with the majority (around 3,700) occurring from early summer to autumn 2022.
"Monkeypox is not the new Covid," states the WHO Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, clearly in mid-August in Geneva. He responded to a query about imminent lockdowns like in the Covid pandemic, "No." The WHO also does not recommend wearing a mouthguard.
Additionally, vaccines against Monkeypox have been available for some time, but misinformation continues to spread on social media. "The fundamental problem is that many people who rejected vaccinations during the pandemic didn't actually care about the specific effects of vaccination," says Dittrich.
Monkeypox can affect anyone, not just gay people.
Some people deny the existence of Monkeypox, while others downplay its danger. Others do not deny the diagnosis but stigmatize those affected as sinful. A common misconception is that Monkeypox is exclusively a sexually transmitted infection between men. A similar stigma for gay and bisexual men existed with AIDS/HIV decades ago.
In Germany, so far, men who have sex with men have been particularly affected by clade IIb. However, gender plays no role in infection, and it is possible in heterosexual sexual contact or other close human contact. In Africa, women suffer miscarriages, and many children are affected, especially by clade I.
"We see in the far-right scene that homosexuality is equated with perversion and immorality," explains Dittrich. "Then it's said: 'Look, here, they're bringing you the diseases.'"
Exercise caution while searching for dubious theories on the internet.
Unverified assertions circulating on social platforms generally hold a higher potential for spread of misinformation. The functioning of social media platforms amplifies this issue – by continually altering to match the online footprint of users, they dispense content that aligns with previously endorsed beliefs, thereby establishing echo chambers or confined viewpoints. These safe zones or bubbles intensify the belief that a particular perspective is rightful, while contradictory viewpoints are left unaddressed.
[WHO, Questions and Answers regarding Mpox Scientific Services by the German Bundestag, about the WHO Pandemic Treaty, RKI regarding Mpox vaccines, WHO Europe Director Kluge discussing Mpox]
I'm not sure about the claim that the WHO has ordered governments to prepare for new mega-lockdowns due to Monkeypox.
Despite the significant differences between Covid-19 and Monkeypox, conspiracy theories are being applied to Monkeypox, similar to what we saw during the Covid-19 era.
