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RACIST and homophobic stories round monkeypox have been condemned by the well being secretary.
Humza Yousaf stated the proper recommendation needed to be supplied with out stigmatising communities.
He was requested by Labour MSP Paul O’Kane about some media and on-line stories linking the outbreak to race and sexual orientation.
It comes after Scotland confirmed its first case on Monday, bringing the UK whole to 71.
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O’Kane stated: “Monkeypox has beforehand been commonest in Africa, and up to date UK circumstances have been extra frequent amongst individuals who determine as homosexual or bisexual, and amongst males who’ve intercourse with males.
“Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a hyperlink to race or sexual orientation. I’m certain that, like me, the cupboard secretary has been appalled by racist and homophobic assertions within the press and on-line concerning the virus.”
Yousaf stated: “I’ve been appalled by the disgusting and bigoted reporting on monkeypox that I’ve seen.
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“It’s important that we work laborious to get the suitable public well being recommendation out to the communities that is perhaps extra affected by the present outbreak, however we should do this in a manner that doesn’t stigmatise these communities and doesn’t permit the problem to be weaponised for different functions.”
The well being secretary stated that he’s being briefed by officers and clinicians on the outbreak.
He added: “There are well-established and strong an infection prevention and management procedures for coping with such circumstances of infectious illness, and they’re going to proceed to be adopted strictly. The Scottish Authorities continues to work intently with Public Well being Scotland as we monitor the state of affairs.
Yousaf stated work is progressing to analyze the supply of the an infection.
He added: “Shut contacts are being recognized and supplied with well being data and recommendation. Which will embody the provide of vaccination.”
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