{"id":494856,"date":"2022-06-29T14:32:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T14:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glaad.logalt.net\/blog\/factsheet-reporters-monkeypox-and-lgbtq-community\/"},"modified":"2023-04-14T23:21:24","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T23:21:24","slug":"factsheet-reporters-monkeypox-and-lgbtq-community","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/reference\/factsheet-reporters-monkeypox-and-lgbtq-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Factsheet for Reporters on Monkeypox (Mpox) and the LGBTQ Community"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated November 28, 2022<\/em><\/p>\n

The World Health Organization, WHO, recommends that the monkeypox virus, MPV, be called mpox <\/strong>to reduce stigma.<\/a><\/p>\n

En espa\u00f1ol<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with mpox (monkeypox virus). It was first discovered in 1958. The virus is spread<\/a> by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated clothes or linen, or contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual. Scientists are currently investigating how often it is spread via respiratory secretions. The virus is usually abbreviated as mpox.<\/p>\n

In May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported<\/a> it is tracking cases of mpox in several countries that don\u2019t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. On June 1, the CDC issued a new case definition that informs medical providers<\/a> how to diagnose the virus. A CDC statement<\/a> released May 18 says \u201canyone can spread monkeypox, regardless of sexual orientation,\u201d while also noting the current tracking suggests \u201cgay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases.\u201d Early data<\/a> of the current outbreak shows 98% of the cases were among gay or bisexual men. 41% of cases are people living with HIV. Additional CDC data<\/a> released August 12 suggests Black and Latinx people are disproportionately affected, underscoring the necessity of equitable access to mpox testing, treatment, and preventative measures. Independent public health researchers noted<\/a> that limited testing capacity<\/a> so far made it difficult to accurately measure more recent cases and spread. The federal government has expanded<\/a> testing capacity as of mid-July.<\/p>\n

Updates on Mpox Response<\/strong><\/p>\n

On August 4,<\/span> Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Bacerra declared<\/a> the monkeypox virus (mpox) outbreak a public health emergency in the United States. The declaration will help mobilize agencies to accelerate access to mpox vaccines and treatments to communities. On August 9, Secretary Bacerra announced<\/a> he was exercising emergency authorization to allow the FDA to safely increase the availability of mpox vaccines. An alternate dosing regimen program allows healthcare providers to administer up to five times the number of doses per vial of the JYNNEOS vaccine.<\/p>\n

FDA said the JYNNEOS vaccine can be delivered intradermally, which requires a smaller dose, while ensuring the vaccine continues to meet standards for safety and quality. In light of this emergency authorization, HHS announced<\/a> August 15 that it was accelerating the rollout of additional JYNNEOS vaccine doses to states and jurisdictions, making available double the number of doses as originally anticipated.<\/p>\n

FDA also announced it is authorizing use of the mpox vaccine, using standard dosing, in people younger than 18 years old who are at high risk of mpox infection.<\/p>\n

The White House appointed<\/a> Robert Fenton as National Monkeypox Response Coordinator and Dr. Demetre Daskalakis as Deputy Coordinator on August 2. The team will lead strategy and operations to combat the current mpox outbreak, \u201cincluding equitably increasing the availability of tests, vaccinations and treatments.\u201d Fenton has twice served as acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including leading the mass vaccination program for the Biden administration last year. Dr. Daskalakis has served as the CDC\u2019s Director of the Division of HIV\/AIDS Prevention since November 2020 and has dedicated his medical career to caring for the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV. <\/p>\n

CDC Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n

A CDC statement<\/a> released May 18 says \u201canyone can spread monkeypox, regardless of sexual orientation.”<\/p>\n

\tClose, skin-to-skin contact to an infected person puts them at greater risk of infection. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis noted<\/a> mpox transmission is similar to the MRSA outbreak in 2008, with lessons we can apply for public health messaging and media coverage. With MRSA, athletes could be especially at risk because of close physical contact and shared facilities, not because they are athletes. Dr. Daskalakis reiterated that mpox transmission is more accurately linked to behavior than to a person\u2019s identity. <\/p>\n

The CDC is urging healthcare providers to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with mpox<\/a>, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The CDC also issued a factsheet<\/a> for community members, and a page where frequently asked questions<\/a> are answered.<\/p>\n

\tMpox cases do occur in all populations, such as cisgender women. Texas reported<\/a> its first case of a woman with mpox in late July, and one of the first cases in the U.S. occured in May when a woman in Virginia<\/a> acquired the virus. As of August 12, the CDC still recommends<\/a> that public health efforts \u201cprioritize gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, who are currently disproportionately affected,\u201d while taking active steps to combat stigma, debunk misinformation, and address equity concerns.
\n\t <\/p>\n

While mpox is not classified a sexually transmitted disease, it appears to be transmitted at a higher rate through sex, which has a high rate of skin-to-skin contact. Any skin-to-skin contact with someone with mpox can lead to a possible new cases of mpox.  A survey of gay and bisexual American men released August 22<\/a> found that roughly half of participants had reduced their number of sexual partners (48%) or one-time sexual encounters (50%) to protect themselves and their partners from mpox.<\/p>\n

Mpox can be transmitted through any skin-to-skin contact or contact with contaminated linens.<\/p>\n

\tGLAAD\u2019s checklist for public health leaders, elected officials and media alerting the public about mpox<\/strong> and other viruses:<\/strong><\/p>\n