After Alberta identified her second case of monkeypox, experts assessed the continued pressure to ensure that the reports did not stigmatize any particular group.
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“It’s always really important to lead with the title, and the title is that anyone can get monkeypox,” said Timothy Caulfield, Canadian Research Department of Health Law and Policy at the University of Alberta.
“It’s about close contact. And then maybe follow the reality of the specific communities that may be at increased risk right now, “Caulfield said.
Caulfield said Alberta and other jurisdictions are doing a good job of ensuring that information is communicated quickly, with an emphasis on science-related communications.
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Monkeypox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact skin to skin, so it can spread to sexual partners. Although smallpox is not STIs, the majority of global cases so far have been among men who report intimate relationships with other men. (5/8)
– Dr. Dean Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) June 7, 2022
On Tuesday night, Alberta’s chief medical officer, Dr. Dinah Hinshaw, posted on social media, alerting the public that a second case had been identified.
She also said that the poxvirus is spread “mainly” through close physical skin-to-skin contact, which is why it can also spread to sexual partners. Although smallpox is not STIs, the majority of global cases so far have been among men who report intimate relationships with other men.
READ MORE: Alberta discovers second case of monkeypox
Caulfield said reports of the virus could be a challenge to ensure that information is communicated properly without stigmatizing a particular group.
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“We need to make sure that these communities know they may be at increased risk, but we need to make sure that the messages do not stigmatize these communities for unscientific reasons,” Caulfield said.
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Christopher Wells, Canadian Research Chair for Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minorities at MacEwan University, said many lessons have been learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in public communications and strategies.
He said we need to ensure that messages are nuanced and targeted, while avoiding guilt or shame.
“We want to make sure we don’t have stereotypes. It’s really important for people to understand that monkeypox is not based on a person’s sexual orientation or identity, “Wales said.
“If people think that monkeypox only affects gay communities, people will not take steps to prevent it from spreading.”
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Wales said Alberta Health is doing a good job of making sure the messages are clear while reaching out to affected communities.
However, it is important to know that there may be an increased risk for people in this group at the moment, especially those who have recently had a new sexual partner. We contacted organizations serving this community to find out how best to support them. (7/8)
– Dr. Dean Hinshaw (@CMOH_Alberta) June 7, 2022
“Let’s face it, it’s about harm reduction and trying to get the right information to the right group of people who may be most at risk of exposure and transmission,” Wales said.
Cases of monkeypox have been identified in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia since the beginning of this year’s epidemic.
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