NO: This is not an authentic graphic from BBC News. YES: It appears to be a doctored version of a graphic posted July 23 by the verified Instagram account of BBC News. NO: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not classified monkeypox as an airborne virus. YES: According to the World Health Organization, it spreads “through close [physical] contact” and through contaminated surfaces. NO: Monkeypox is not a form of herpes. YES: Experts confirmed to The Associated Press that herpes is a “completely different virus.” NO: Monkeypox infections do not “typically last 2-4 months.” YES: According to the CDC, monkeypox infections typically last two to four weeks. NO: According to FactCheck.org, there is no evidence that paralysis is “a recognized problem associated with monkeypox.”
NewsLit takeaway: Doctored headlines and graphics falsely attributed to credible sources are often shared online to spread disinformation. Be wary of posts that include screenshots that make sensational, fear-inducing claims without including live links to credible sources. A quick internet search for any of these claims surfaces numerous fact-checks and is an effective way to debunk this viral post.
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