![\\"logo\\"](\\"/img/logo-dpa-factchecking.svg\\"/) *About ![\\"IFCN](\\"/img/ifcn-certificate.png\\"/) ![\\"EFCSN](\\"/img/efcsn- certificate.png\\"/) ## Lockdown story made up # Already more than 500 mpox deaths in 2024 28.8.2024, 15:12 (CEST) The new variant of the mpox virus is one of the big themes of the moment and loosens the tongues. But it is necessary to assess the matter correctly essential to use the correct figures. "They can get the plague smallpox pleurisy," is shown in this TikTok video said, the content of which was also taken over on Facebook. The person in the video refers to the WHO, because according to him this is another major lockdown would plan to stop the spread of MPOX (formerly 'monkeypox'). checkers. The same video also claims that there are currently only 5 to 10 people have died from the virus. That would pale into insignificance at all traffic, drug and fast food deaths that occur every year. Sounds true indeed as something to get angry about, but is it true? ## Judgement Both statements are wrong. By mid-August there were more in Africa alone than 500 deaths have been counted as a result of mpox before 2024. In addition, the WHO is not planning to impose a lockdown: she has no authority to do so, and she has already explicitly stated that there is no need for a lockdown virus outbreak under control. ## Facts On August 13, the AfricaCDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) counted Across the continent, 517 deaths have already been attributed to MPox this year, especially in the... Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It called for it for the first time since a state of emergency emerged in 2017. A day later, the WHO also mentioned the virus outbreak an international emergency. Meanwhile, AfricaCDC reported already 582 deaths. However, there is no lockdown, such as during the corona pandemic the beginning of this decade. This claim was previously debunked in a fact check from Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa). WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic informed dpa by email that the WHO does not has instructed governments to prepare for some form of lockdown, and that as an advisory body it is not authorized to do so. Her advice is to affect people who are at high risk of infection areas to administer a vaccine. This vaccine already exists. No need to panic, no need to minimize the problem either The new clade 1b variant of the mpox virus was discovered in Congo in 2023, and has already been detected in 3 other African countries. It was also mid-August a case has already been discovered in Europe. Previous variants of the virus were already in use 13 African countries identified. The virus can be transmitted from animals to humans. She also becomes human-to-human transmitted, especially through sexual contact. The new variant clade 1b would be more contagious and dangerous than the previous one. The symptoms include a rash in the form of red spots, bumps or blisters, as well as fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes. The smallpox normally disappear after a few weeks, but can be painful and leave scars. So there is no need to panic, but neither is minimizing the problem. Reliable In any case, sources are essential. (State of play: 28.08.2024) ## Left Facebook post, I & II (archived I & II) Original Tiktok post (archived with video) Press release AfricaCDC (archived) ECDC on deaths (archived) WHO press release (archived) Fact check dpa WHO on mpox (archived) VN on mpox (archived) NOS about contamination in Sweden (archived) ### About dpa fact checks This fact check was written in the context of the Third Party Fact Checking program from Facebook/Meta. More information about this initiative can be found here. Explanation from Facebook/Meta about dealing with accounts that contain incorrect information distribution can be found here. You can send substantive comments or comments to factcheck- netherlands@dpa.com with a link to the relevant Facebook post. Please to use the correct templates for this. You will find guidelines for objections here. powered by dpa-newslab | Imprint | Privacy | About:
Only 5 to 10 deaths have been caused by the monkeypox virus The WHO therefore announced that it was preparing a major lockdown in September