Americans are increasingly concerned about the growing number of Monkeypox cases in the country and globally. Last month the World Health Organization declared Monkeypox a public health concern.
However, the emerging conspiracy theories about Monkeypox have compounded worry among the public that is already shaken. According to a national survey sponsored by Annenberg Public Policy Centre, most Americans have little information about Monkeypox.
Most Americans (66%) doubt if there is a Monkeypox vaccine
More than two-thirds of Americans doubt whether there is a Monkeypox vaccine, almost half (48%) don’t know if the disease is more contagious than coronavirus, and 20% are afraid of monkeypox virus infection.
Surprisingly, most Americans don’t have adequate information about the outbreak and ways they can protect themselves from the virus. According to the survey, 69% of the respondents stated that the virus spreads through contact with someone infected, but about 26% weren’t sure if that was the case. On the other hand, 14% of Americans believe Monkeypox is as contagious as coronavirus, with only 36% saying it is less virulent.
What is concerning, however, is that reported monkeypox cases in recent weeks outside Africa affect men having sex with men. The World Health Organisation has warned that the virus doesn’t discriminate and anybody can get it, and it isn’t sexually transmitted.
Conspiracy theorists are causing more confusion about Monkeypox
Unfortunately, conspiracy theorists are spreading their beliefs about Monkeypox, and instead of following science, they believe its spread is a result of other reasons. It is important to note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theorists spread falsehoods about the virus.
Top conspiracy theory advances include that the virus was bioengineered in a lab, but only 12% believe this is true. Others indicate that Monkeypox was released intentionally, but the claim is false according to 56% of Americans, while 14% believe it to be true despite no evidence supporting the claim. It is also absurd that others say it was created to help Biden but only 105 say this is true and 71% reject the idea.
