Recommendations for ethical monkeypox (mpox) surveillance

ABSTRACT

Surveillance is an essential public health activity yet faces ethical challenges. The monkeypox (mpox) outbreak predominantly affects gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Mpox surveillance, specifically, faces the risks of discrimination and stigmatization, in addition to punitive action in jurisdictions where the behavior of any group in the key population is criminalized. Awareness about these risks and specific guidance to address other ethical challenges of mpox surveillance is necessary to promote its ethical surveillance. This brief document provides recommendations aimed at ensuring that mpox surveillance is conducted ethically. The recommendations have been developed on the basis of WHO guidelines on ethical issues in public health surveillance.