On June 28, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a national strategy to enhance monkeypox (MPV) vaccination access, prioritize distribution to high-risk areas and people, and improve testing capacity.

Monkeypox, also known as MPV, is a rare disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus. It was first discovered in 1958. The virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual, or contact with contaminated clothes or linen.

In May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported it is tracking cases of monkeypox (MPV) in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. On June 1, the CDC issued a new case definition that informs medical providers how to diagnose the virus. 

A CDC statement released May 18th says “anyone can spread monkeypox, regardless of sexual orientation,” while also noting the current tracking suggests “gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases.” However, independent public health researchers noted that limited testing capacity so far made it difficult to accurately measure the cases and spread. The national strategy announcement notes that the CDC has scaled up testing capacity to 78 sites in 48 states, primarily at state public health labs.

A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity does not put them at higher risk of infection; close contact to an infected person puts them at greater risk of infection. As the CDC’s Dr. Demetre Daskalakis noted, monkeypox (MPV) 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 MPV transmission is more accurately linked to behavior than to a person’s identity. 

The CDC is urging healthcare providers to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The CDC also issued a factsheet for community members. 

GLAAD Guidance

Reporting and messaging about any virus should focus on facts, not who people are. GLAAD urges public health officials and the media to elevate information that informs all communities to prevent and control the spread of viruses, and continue to work closely with vulnerable communities to inform and protect them without stigma.

While currently there may be a portion of cases noted within a particular community, communicable diseases can show up in all communities. All communities need accurate information. Anyone can get the virus that causes monkeypox if they come into contact with it.

Stories, tweets and social media posts that single out groups of people without context to public health overall risk sensationalizing and stigmatizing vulnerable groups.

Whenever possible, include the acronym MPV (short for monkeypox virus) to help reduce stigma and sensationalizing.

GLAAD was founded in 1985 to monitor media to ensure accurate and respectful reporting about people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. 41 years after the first cases were identified, stigma about HIV and misinformation about the virus continue to drive new infections, despite the fact that medical and scientific breakthroughs have made HIV almost completely preventable with PrEP medication against contracting the virus, and advances in treatment for those living with HIV that, when effectively treated, HIV can be suppressed to the point of being undetectable and therefore, untransmittable, U=U. It’s as important as ever to center the facts, whether about HIV, COVID-19, or any threat to public health. 

GLAAD’s checklist for public health leaders, elected officials and media alerting the public about monkeypox (MPV) and other viruses:

• All stories that mention LGBTQ people should include LGBTQ voices. If a public official or public health messaging singles out the LGBTQ community, seek and include LGBTQ voices and expertise, including LGBTQ community members, medical professionals, and advocates who have spent decades fighting stigma, to ensure accurate, inclusive and compassionate public health reporting. GLAAD can connect you with these resources.
   
• Exercise editorial judgment as to whether to single out or elevate LGBTQ people in stories that broadly relate to the public at large.
   
• Emphasize how transmission of the virus is related to behaviors rather than to communities or identities. 
   
• Include facts that broaden public health alerts to reach the largest possible audience. Remember that anyone can become infected with the virus that causes monkeypox if they come into close contact.
   
• Consult, and encourage newsroom colleagues to read, GLAAD’s Media Reference Guide, now in its 11th edition. The Guide offers education and guidance on telling LGBTQ people’s stories in ways that bring out the best in journalism, and includes sections on health, COVID-19 and HIV.