College of Social Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
J Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 16;230(4):786-788. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae435.
The ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa, now classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, presents a severe challenge, particularly for vulnerable populations like sex workers. Despite the endemic presence of mpox in Africa since the 1970s, recent developments, including the emergence of a new clade Ib strain with increased transmissibility, have exacerbated the situation. Sex workers are at heightened risk due to their occupational exposure, compounded by stigma, criminalization, and limited access to healthcare. These factors significantly impede efforts to control the spread of the virus, leading to underreporting and inadequate intervention. This article highlights the urgent need for an inclusive public health response that prioritizes the health and safety of sex workers. Such a response should involve tailored health services, legal protections, and community engagement to ensure that this marginalized group is not overlooked. The decriminalization of sex work is also proposed as a critical public health measure to improve access to care and reduce stigma, ultimately curbing the spread of mpox in Africa.
目前非洲正在发生猴痘疫情，世界卫生组织已将其列为国际关注的突发公共卫生事件，这对性工作者等弱势群体构成了严峻挑战。尽管自 20 世纪 70 年代以来，猴痘在非洲就已流行，但最近的情况发展，包括传播能力增强的新型 Ib 毒株的出现，使情况更加恶化。性工作者由于职业暴露而面临更高的风险，再加上污名化、刑事定罪和有限的医疗保健机会，情况更是雪上加霜。这些因素严重阻碍了控制病毒传播的努力，导致报告不足和干预不力。本文强调了采取包容性公共卫生应对措施的紧迫性，优先考虑性工作者的健康和安全。这种应对措施应包括量身定制的卫生服务、法律保护和社区参与，以确保这个边缘化群体不会被忽视。还提议将性工作非刑事化作为一项重要的公共卫生措施，以改善获得护理的机会并减少污名化，从而最终遏制非洲的猴痘传播。
