The UN warns of racist and homophobic speeches in the face of monkeypox

Some information and comments on the current outbreak of monkey pox have used language and images that “reinforce racist and homophobic stereotypes” exacerbating the stigmatization of Africans and LGBTI people, the Joint UN Program against HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said today.

“Lessons learned from AIDS show that stigma and blaming certain groups can harm the response to an outbreak”the organization warned in a statement.

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UNAIDS He recalled that despite the fact that a significant part of the 92 cases of the current outbreak in 12 countries have been detected in LGBTI people, the risk of contagion is not limited to that group, but to anyone who has had close physical contact with people who are have been infected with the disease.

“We thank the LGBTI community for being leaders in raising awareness, and reiterate that this disease can affect anyone,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Matthew Kavanagh.

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The head of the organization insisted that stigmatizing rhetoric can create a “climate of fear” that leads many people not to go to health services, hindering efforts to track new cases.

The disease, endemic in West and Central Africa, is less dangerous than conventional smallpox, eradicated globally 40 years ago, and usually manifests with a high fever that quickly leads to skin rashes, especially on the face.

Its transmission occurs through contact with wounds, body fluids, droplets and contaminated material, and its incubation period is usually six to thirteen days, although it can be up to three weeks.

Source: Elcomercio

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