The gay sauna "Paraíso" is said to have experienced an outbreak of monkeypox. The facility has now been closed for the time being as a precaution. In addition, there is a reference to the gay event "Darklands Festival" in Belgium.
Because: The local authorities apparently see a connection between the outbreak of the disease and the event. So far, there are officially three cases of the disease in Belgium.
The organizers of the festival assume that the virus was transmitted by visitors who came from abroad. The "Darkside Festival" has long enjoyed a special popularity. Especially people who belong to the gay fetish community like to drop by here. The whole thing consists of smaller, different events and parties that often last until the early hours of the morning.
Now the organizers inform visitors about the outbreak via their homepage and thus comply with the official order.
According to WHO, mainly gay and bisexual men have fallen ill so far
Monkeypox did not appear "from one moment to the next. In the last few days and weeks, they have appeared again and again - including in Europe. The WHO has also already commented on this.
According to their statement, it is currently mainly gay and bisexual men who are affected by the disease. Therefore, it is all the more important to remain alert and - if skin changes are detected - to consult a doctor.
Disease could further fuel prejudice
The monkeypox outbreak is reminiscent in some respects of the scenarios that played out in connection with the discovery of AIDS. Again, it was apparently primarily gay men who were susceptible to the virus. Over a long period of time, the discriminatory term "gay disease" persisted.
The current state of science, which says that monkeypox is also increasingly attacking gay and bisexual men, could be grist to the mill of those who, for example, still see being gay as a "disease" or "something evil."
For this reason, the German Aids Federation has already spoken out and warned that social opinion could once again develop in a similar direction. Accordingly, one thing is needed above all: education.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
The classic symptoms of monkeypox include headache, muscle pain, fever and rash. The latter often starts in the area of the face and then spreads further and further over the body.
The good news, however, is that while the disease is unpleasant, it is not very dangerous in most cases. Only a few people die from monkeypox.
In Germany, too, there is now the first confirmed case. Many scientists are on the alert and monitoring what is happening. It is clear that links to the Corona pandemic and its extent will almost inevitably be drawn. Currently, however, most assume that monkeypox is much less contagious and that it will therefore be easier to keep it under control. Mind you, this is the current status quo. To panic prematurely now would certainly be wrong. Nevertheless, it is also important to remain cautious - always with the knowledge that it can theoretically affect anyone... Not just gays.