Infodemic and the fear of monkeypox: call for action

• Published in: Tropical Medicine and Health
• Main Authors: Ramadan Abdelmoez Farahat, Michael G. Head, Samar Tharwat, Yasmeen Alabdallat, Mohammad Yasir Essar, Basel Abdelazeem, Mounir Ould Setti
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2022
• Subjects: Monkeypox; Social media; Infodemic; Stigma; Fake news; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-022-00459-8; https://doaj.org/article/b4665453bdd84d0aae5b98abe5810504

Abstract Monkeypox (MPX) was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO), as of July 23rd, 2022. Fake news spread on social media has already surfaced and contributed to worsening of this concerning situation, making it difficult for the health care experts’ voices to be heard. Therefore, we recommend some solutions to overcome this situation, including raising public awareness and preventing stigma through sharing engagement with civil society organizations, and better cooperation between policymakers, the medical community, and social media platforms regarding providing accurate official news about MPX. WHO-one health approach should be established and prioritized.