Combating Mpox Misinformation: Practical Guidelines for Community Action

In an era of rapid information spread, communities are increasingly vital in combating health emergency misinformation, particularly during outbreaks like mpox, experts say.

Health officials are emphasizing the dual challenge of fighting both the physical disease and what the World Health Organization terms an “infodemic” – the flood of information, both accurate and false, that accompanies public health crises.

“When accurate information competes with falsehoods during outbreaks, public health responses become significantly compromised,” explains Dr. Maria Santos, a public health communication specialist who has worked on multiple outbreak responses. “Communities often become the first line of defense against this spread of misinformation.”

The infodemic phenomenon manifests as both misinformation – unintentionally shared false information – and disinformation, which is deliberately fabricated to mislead. Public health experts note that this information pollution directly influences individual and community behaviors, potentially undermining efforts to control disease spread.

Recent mpox outbreaks globally have demonstrated how quickly false information can circulate through social media, messaging apps, and word-of-mouth channels. In several countries, health authorities reported that misconceptions about mpox transmission, prevention methods, and treatments led to stigmatization of affected groups and reduced compliance with public health measures.

“We’ve observed people avoiding testing or vaccination due to unfounded fears fueled by misinformation,” notes Jamal Ibrahim, a community health worker in East Africa. “These hesitancies directly translate to more cases and prolonged outbreaks.”

Health organizations are increasingly turning to social listening – the systematic monitoring of public conversations across various platforms – to better understand community concerns and information gaps. This approach provides valuable insights that help authorities develop more targeted, culturally appropriate resources and recommendations.

The challenges often occur in everyday interactions, when healthcare workers, community leaders, or ordinary citizens encounter mpox-related misinformation in personal settings – from clinical consultations to family gatherings or religious events.

Public health communication experts emphasize that everyone, regardless of their position or expertise, can contribute to combating the infodemic. Effective responses require a community-wide approach rather than relying solely on official messaging from health authorities.

“The most effective interventions happen at the community level, where trusted voices can address concerns in culturally appropriate ways,” says communications researcher Dr. Priya Sharma, who studies health information ecosystems. “When a respected community member corrects misinformation, it carries significantly more weight than distant official sources.”

Health authorities recommend several strategies for addressing mpox misinformation in everyday contexts. These include listening empathetically to concerns without judgment, asking open questions to understand the source of misconceptions, and sharing factual information from reliable sources in accessible language.

Importantly, experts advise against aggressive confrontation or dismissal of concerns, as this can backfire and entrench false beliefs. Instead, they suggest building trust through respectful dialogue that acknowledges uncertainties while providing the best available evidence.

Community organizations across several regions have implemented successful models for addressing health misinformation. These include training local information ambassadors who can identify and respond to circulating myths, creating rumor-tracking systems, and developing culturally appropriate communication materials that address specific local concerns.

While these recommendations focus specifically on mpox, health communication specialists note they apply broadly to other health emergencies and information challenges. The skills developed in addressing mpox misinformation create resilience against future infodemics.

As public health systems continue battling mpox outbreaks globally, the role of informed communities grows increasingly crucial. By equipping ordinary citizens with the tools to recognize and respond to misinformation, health authorities hope to create more resilient information environments that support rather than undermine outbreak control efforts.

“The infodemic challenge requires a whole-of-society approach,” concludes Ibrahim. “When communities take ownership of their information ecosystem, we see measurably better health outcomes.”