Dr Amir Khan on LGBTQ community stigmatised over monkeypox

Dr Amir Khan talked about the UK cases of monkeypox and people unfairly stigmatising those from LGBTQ communities as a result.

Dr Susan Hopkins, a chief medical adviser for UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has previously warned doctors are seeing community transmission with cases predominantly being identified in individuals who self-identify as gay or bisexual or men who have sex with other men.

Was on @lorraine earlier today day talking about monkey pox and people unfairly stigmatising those from LGBTQ communities as a result

“Any homophobic comments and Dr Amir and Aunty Lorraine WILL not be happy” will we @reallorraine?! pic.twitter.com/GGYLzESOau

— Dr Amir Khan GP (@DrAmirKhanGP) May 23, 2022

The disease, first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact, and is caused by the monkeypox virus.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on today’s (Monday’s) ITV Lorraine programme, Dr Amir said: “Whatever the reason, it’s important not to stigmatise anyone from particular communities who have this illness.

“We need them to come forward. It’s a really shady thing to stigmatise anyone with an illness. If we hear any homophobic comments, Dr Amir and Aunty Loraine will be coming to find you and we won’t be happy.”

#Monkeypox Anyone with unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service. With recent cases mainly reported in gay and bisexual men, those in this community should be particularly alert.
Get the latest updates ⏬

— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) May 23, 2022

Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, chills and exhaustion.

The UKHSA has urged monkeypox does not usually spread easily between people.