It is false that Mpox is related to herpes zoster – 10/02/2024 – Balance and Health

The decision by the WHO (World Health Organization) to declare Mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years led to the emergence of misinformation about the disease. One of the viral posts erroneously claims that “monkeypox,” as Mpox was previously called, is the same as shingles.

Infectious disease specialist Eduardo Medeiros, scientific director of SPI (Sociedade Paulista de Infectologia), explains that both diseases have skin rashes as initial manifestations, but they are distinct illnesses.

“In herpes zoster, the lesions generally appear along the path of a nerve, and in several stages. In Mpox, the eruptions follow the same stage. First red spots appear, then vesicles and then evolve into crusts” , he stated.

In addition to evolving in different ways, Mpox and herpes zoster are caused by different viruses, with completely different infection patterns, as said by virologist Giliane Trindade, professor at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais) and member of the SBV (Society Brazilian Council of Virology). “Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, and herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus.”

The post also misinforms by saying that Mpox would be a side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine. The lie led the Ministry of Health to publish on its website that the content is misleading and that “misinformation can kill.”

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