WHO Declares Public Health Emergency for Mpox Amid Conspiracy Theories

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a public health emergency of international concern regarding mpox, previously known as monkeypox, which is spreading from West Africa. This declaration has reignited conspiracy theories reminiscent of those that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prominent figures in the disinformation landscape, such as Silvano Trotta and Alexis Cossette, have adapted their narratives to fit the current situation, linking mpox to unfounded claims about bioterrorism and laboratory origins. The term "monkeypox" itself has come under scrutiny, as the disease is now understood to originate from rodents rather than primates. This misnomer has been used to deflect attention from the zoonotic nature of such epidemics, with some conspiracy theorists suggesting that virologists conducting research on dangerous pathogens are to blame. As the mpox outbreak unfolds, similar theories have emerged, including claims that Canadian researchers have reproduced the virus with malicious intent. Despite the ongoing concerns surrounding mpox, experts like epidemiologist Antoine Flahault emphasize that its transmission rate is not comparable to that of respiratory viruses, and there are no current discussions about implementing lockdowns. Nevertheless, some conspiracy theorists are framing the WHO's alert as a ploy by "Big Pharma," suggesting that pharmaceutical companies are manipulating the situation for profit. As the situation develops, the intersection of public health and conspiracy theories continues to complicate the narrative surrounding mpox, echoing the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.