How concerned should you be about the mpox outbreak?

Mpox is rapidly spreading in parts of Central and East Africa, with the World Health Organization declaring a global public health emergency earlier this month. Outside Africa, the first case of infection with a new strain of the infectious disease was confirmed in Sweden last week. Asia is on high alert after the Philippines reported its first case of the year on Monday (Aug 19).

CNA’s Asia First speaks to Dr Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, to find out how concerning the latest outbreak is. He also gives his thoughts on how effective current vaccines are against the Clade 1 and 2 mpox strains.

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[dannywebb]

Not concerned we are sick of this constant attack on the people that just want to live their life. People are awake to this.

[X-H-Wu]

0 concern as it is transmitted by close bodily contact.

[ECOSAM_]

🙏When you're on the road, try to bring some disinfectant sanitizers. Personal hygiene can boost your immunity. Try to sanitize your hands when you cannot wash them. Try to disinfect your WC toilet seats before use. Popular options include sanitizer sprays, disinfectant sprays, and handwashing liquids. ECOSAM sponsors our National Day Parade 2024. Thank you all, and take care.🙏

[brianwaite]

Remember safe and effective was not safe and effective. Do not comply.

[happymelon]

During the 2022 outbreak, HIV-negative gay and bisexual men who had little experience with stigmatising illnesses found their mpox diagnosis to be particularly traumatic and a personally threatening experience. They often required additional support beyond what was available. However, men living with HIV seemed to handle the stigma better, drawing on resilience from past experiences with HIV.

Mpox was associated with significant feelings of stigma, particularly due to homophobic narratives that linked promiscuity with illness and disease. Some men were also discriminated against by sexual contacts, online, and in healthcare settings. All men who had contact with non-specialist hospital services (such as Accident and Emergency) after receiving an mpox diagnosis reported some degree of enacted stigma from staff, usually related to infection control measures.

[diypromax]

As people are still gathering, don't forget it's always a matter of time before the next biggest spike in cases, and it's likely those people last gathering of their lives.

[happymelon]

A recent study found that men diagnosed with mpox, clinicians and community stakeholders believe that the government's perceived inaction towards the illness was due to its association with stigmatised sexual minorities. This systemic failure was often compared to the initial response to the AIDS crisis.

[RobMatton]

Not at all concerned. Almost everyone knows its scaremongering to keep people frightened

[mrtienphysics]

It has entered Philipines.
Update : Thailand too

[AjdenMapping]

yup we are cooked look how fast its spreading already

[Abraham-ukxy]

Very concerned if it spreads from Singapore to other S.E. Asian countries because many tourists visit Singapore and they can bring it in and take it out to neighbouring countries. .

[Rythos]

2020: Covid
2024: mpox
?: zombie apocalypse

[clobbyhops]

So MPox have passport papers now, Africa to the Philippians to a guy who never traveled there, hmmm 🤔

[boymeetsworldx]

Don't be scared. That's what they want you to be.

[veraluxmundi]

I’ve noticed a big difference in the language used when the same disease affects homosexuals vs. heterosexuals. Gays are described as 'spreading' while straights are 'suffering' the disease. Reports focus on gay sexual behaviour in an overtly judgmental way and often the infection is called 'homosexually transmitted'. But you never hear of 'heterosexual transmission'. For example chlamydia is an STI with high rates among young heterosexuals but it is never described as 'heterosexually transmitted'. Because that would imply that heterosexuality itself was a disease vector, which is precisely how homosexuality is still viewed and presented. It may no longer be classified as a disease but in the straight mind, homosexuality is still quite possibly ‘infectious’.

[LawrenceWank]

in OYK's words, very worrying. Singaporeans to panic and stock up on daily necessities now. Make your home into a tiny supermarket.

[raould]

Thank you CNA for covering this consistently! Its amazing how the world just lets another possible pandemic develop, just after getting out an almost apocalyptical one!

[happymelon]

STOP playing with your "boyfriends"

[MichaelCoughlanmusic]

YOU SHOULD ONLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING YOUR FREEDOM.

[Abraham-ukxy]

Since Singapore is famous in shipping health enforcement should check the marine crew on the ships at the anchorage before they come ashore.
Any cases straight to isolation in hospital wards. It's not enough to remain on the ships.