Stigma during monkeypox outbreak

Abstract

Monkeypox is an emerging viral zoonotic disease that is endemic in Central and West Africa. The first cases outside the African continent were detected in the United States of America (USA) in 2003 following the importation of infected animals. On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHIEC), following the rapid spreading into multiple continents in short time (1). Since July 6, 2022, 12,989 confirmed monkeypox cases have been detected, showing a more than 200% increase. The total number of cases has gone beyond 21,000 cases and has spread to 75 countries involving all six WHO regions (www.who.int) up to July 30, 2022. We need to increase the awareness about disease transmission, signs and symptoms, and how to prevent ourselves from this emerging infection. Lessons from research on past infectious disease outbreaks have taught us that stigma will pose a significant hurdle to health and wellness during any pandemic...