From gay sex to miracle cure: Fake news epidemic follows mpox outbreak

NEWS WIRES

22 August 2024 at 1:05 pm·1-min read

The current outbreak of mpox has triggered a surge in online disinformation about the viral disease, including false information that it is linked to Covid vaccines, that only gay men are affected, or that a miracle cure exists.

An mpox outbreak spreading across several African countries, which the World Health Organization has called a global emergency, has caused a spike in online disinformation about the viral disease.

No links to shingles or the Covid vaccine

In a video circulated on X and Facebook, Wolfgang Wodarg, a German doctor known for his anti-vaccine views, claimed that mpox and shingles shared the same symptoms.

The physician also accused the pharmaceutical industry of frightening people to make profit.

This is false. Mpox is not a shingles epidemic caused by the Covid-19 vaccine.

Much is already known about the virus and the means to control it. Mpox, which was first detected in the 1970s in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), long predates Covid vaccines.

The disease, which is caused by a virus transmitted by infected animals but passed from human to human through close physical contact, belongs to the family of poxviruses -- whereas shingles is a kind of herpes.

Symptoms also differ, with shingles causing smaller, painful lesions and rashes.

Mpox does not affect only gay men

(AFP)

Australian Associated Press
Blues clinch AFLW thriller after late score review
A score review determined Maddy Guerin's late snap shot cleared the goal line in the decisive moment of Carlton's one-point AFLW victory over Gold Coast.
Australian Associated Press
Manly gift Bulldogs home final after loss to Sharks
Manly will be forced to face Canterbury at Accor Stadium in the opening week of the NRL finals, after being beaten 40-20 by Cronulla.
Australian Associated Press
Roosters hand Sharks NRLW reality check
The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the previously undefeated Cronulla in the NRLW before Parramatta upset Gold Coast to keep their finals hopes alive.
Australian Associated Press
Injured Swans star Molloy to miss rest of AFLW season
Sydney star Chloe Molloy has sustained a dreaded anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the AFLW season.
Australian Associated Press
Winwood's star on the rise despite narrow title loss
Australian Alex Winwood has announced himself as a rising star of the world boxing scene after going toe-to-toe with the WBA minimum-weight champion.
Australian Associated Press
Tigers hold off Giants for first AFLW win of season
Richmond have recorded their first win of the AFLW season, responding from a shock loss to beat GWS by 11 points at Punt Rd.
Australian Associated Press
Schmidt won't panic after Wallabies' Santa Fe smashing
Coach Joe Schmidt says he won't do anything drastic ahead of the Bledisloe Cup, despite the Wallabies copping a record 67-27 hiding in Argentina.
Australian Associated Press
Social media giants face big fines in plan to ban kids
South Australia's planned laws banning children under 14 from social media should be overseen by a federal regulator and implemented nationally, a report says.
Australian Associated Press
Swans star Heeney surprised himself with epic AFL mark
Sydney star Isaac Heeney isn't eligible for the AFL's mark of the year award because his spectacular grab over Jack Buckley came during the finals series.
Australian Associated Press
Short Sharks turnaround sends NRL into Townsville heat
North Queensland are poised to host a rare day finals match, with Cronulla's short turnaround set to dictate the opening-week schedule.
Australian Associated Press
Breust riding Hawks' wave of momentum to 300 AFL games
Earlier this year, Hawthorn forward Luke Breust would have laughed at the suggestion he'd finish the season as a 300-game AFL player.
Australian Associated Press
Alex Winwood falls short in bid for boxing history
Australian Alex Winwood has lost by unanimous decision to WBA minimum-weight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong in a thrilling bout in Perth.
Australian Associated Press
Emissions blowout flagged if coal, gas extended: govt
Australia's emissions could blow out by an additional 1.7 billion tonnes should coal and gas be extended, government analysis has found.
Australian Associated Press
'We can beat anyone': Ward bullish after SCG surrender
Callan Ward says GWS still have the belief they are the best team in the AFL premiership race despite a gutting loss to rivals Sydney.
Australian Associated Press
Aussies Thompson and Purcell win US Open doubles crown
Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are the first all-Australian duo to win the US Open men's doubles title since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1996.
Australian Associated Press
High-octane Hawks believe they can go all the way
After their elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn head into their semi-final against Port Adelaide believing they can go all the way.
Yahoo News Australia
Heartwarming moment lion walks on grass for the first time
Having never stepped outside before, the shy animal took a long time to build up her confidence. Watch the video.
Australian Associated Press
Sabalenka beats Pegula to win first US Open title
Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Jessica Pegula in straight sets to claim her maiden US Open title at Flushing Meadows, and second grand slam of the year.
Australian Associated Press
Ciraldo adamant Bulldogs' woes can be easily fixed
Canterbury have endured their two worst weeks of the season on the eve of the NRL's finals, but coach Cameron Ciraldo is adamant things can be turned around.
Australian Associated Press
Foord's Gunners fire, step closer to Champions League
Former winners Arsenal are closing in on a Women's Champions League group-stage return, with two Matildas involved in their 1-0 victory over Norway's Rosenborg.

No links to shingles or the Covid vaccine

Mpox does not affect only gay men

Latest stories