Trump Video Misrepresented as Mpox Warning, WHO Addresses New Outbreak

A video featuring Donald Trump from August 2023 has been erroneously portrayed as a warning about the current mpox outbreak. The mischaracterization occurred in a social media post from mid-August 2024, falsely claiming that the former president was cautioning about lockdowns and election fraud related to mpox.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on August 16, 2024, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to other countries. This marks the second such declaration in two years. The outbreak is attributed to a new variant of the mpox virus, which was also identified in a case in Sweden.

However, the video in question does not mention mpox at all. Instead, Trump discusses COVID-19 and the upcoming November 5, 2024, U.S. presidential election. In the clip, he accuses "left wing lunatics" and "COVID tyrants" of attempting to manipulate the election by "trying to bring back COVID."

"They rigged the 2020 election, and now they're trying to do the same thing all over again by rigging the most important election in the history of our country, the 2024 election, even if it means trying to bring back COVID. But they will fail because we will not let it happen."

As of August 22, 2024, neither the Trump campaign nor his social media accounts had made any statements regarding the current mpox outbreak. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It's crucial to note that mpox and COVID-19 are distinct diseases with different transmission patterns. WHO officials have emphasized that mpox transmission can be controlled and is not comparable to COVID-19. A WHO spokesperson clarified that there are no recommendations for people to wear masks in response to mpox.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has a long history dating back to its discovery in 1958. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike COVID-19, mpox typically requires close contact for transmission and has a lower fatality rate of 3-6%. The virus can infect various mammal species, not just monkeys, and its natural reservoir remains unknown.

The current outbreak highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination. While mpox is a serious concern, it's essential to distinguish between factual public health announcements and misrepresented political statements to ensure proper understanding and response to emerging health threats.