Cape Town - Linking men who have sex with men (MSM) with monkeypox is homophobic and unethical, and deeply infringes on the human rights of key populations.
This is according to a South African Medical Journal article by Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine researcher, Kapil Narain, and LGBTI Community and Health Centre director and advocacy officer, Nonhlanhla Mkhize.
Their article, titled Monkeypox in South Africa: The need for responsible messaging to avoid stigmatising the LGBTI community, highlights that monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, though it is clinically less severe.
Transmission occurs through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
As at June 29, 2022, there had been more than 5 000 confirmed cases recorded globally, with a seven-day rolling average exceeding 250 cases a day.
After the first case in South Africa was reported in June, Narain and Mkhize said various media reported that cases predominantly occurred among MSM, which was damaging to the LGBTI community.
“The homophobia on social media by the public in reaction to the outbreak in SA is one repercussion of potentially incomplete or irresponsible reporting, despite attempts to rectify the situation.
“There is no biologically plausible explanation linking monkeypox directly with MSM, or with any sexual orientation.
“Unsubstantiated reports suggesting such links are alarming, and tantamount to an assault on these people. Such stigmatising may result in MSM (and to a large extent gay men) facing further persecution, and may result in decreased access to health services.”
Many cases found among MSM globally had been observed in individuals who had attended festivals and parties where there had been a lack of social distancing, they explained.
“Person-to-person transmission is due to close physical contact, and the possibility of sexual transmission is still to be determined.
“Physical contact during sex is most likely to be a primary factor, rather than the virus being necessarily sexually transmitted,” the authors emphasised.
As the epidemiological situation evolves and cases rise, they called on those reporting on to “ensure that reports revolving around monkeypox do not link, explicitly or implicitly, to MSM”.
“In SA, where we have a massive HIV/Aids epidemic, we are well aware of the stigma and discrimination this community has historically faced and continues to face.
“Responsible reporting is needed to ensure that we do not stigmatise a demographic that has already been persecuted widely.
“In instances where MSM are mentioned, such publications must have a solid, scientifically- grounded reason for doing so. Moreover, if increased cases are reported in this population, there exists a moral and ethical obligation to clarify the supposed reasons for the proposed increase and to highlight the fact that the virus is not linked to any sexual orientation,” Narain and Mkhize concluded.
Cape Times