As we get more news across the country, most monkeypox cases have been seen in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in men who have sexual relations with men. However, health experts are reiterating the fact that the virus, while prevalent in a specific community right now, can impact anyone.
Dr. Amy Edwards, pediatric infectious disease specialist at UH Rainbow and Babies Children’s Hospital, says that it’s just by luck that the virus β which is endemic to Africa β is currently circulating among men who have sex with men. She added that if the infected person had come into contact with a different community, that’s where the virus would be spreading.
“That’s what outbreaks do; they have to start somewhere,” Edwards told 3News. “In this case, they started in the community of men who have sex with men. It’s not going to stay there. In fact, it’s already not staying there.”
Looking at the virus globally, Edwards says the number of cases in men who have sex with men is already dropping as monkeypox moves into the wider population. Kenyon Farrow, a board member at the LBGT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, told us the center’s phones have been ringing as people look for information about the virus and vaccines.
“We don’t necessarily have a crystal ball when infectious disease outbreak happens, when and where and in what community it will arrive first,” he said. “But there’s no such thing as a gay disease. There’s no such thing as a disease of senior citizens or of African Americans or of other groups, while groups can certainly be disproportionately impacted.”
Isabel Lawrence reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/health/monkeypox/monkeypox-stigma-vaccine-availability-lgbtq-community/95-ab1eee1d-cc51-46c4-8320-aaa6abcb9765
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