While the monkeypox agenda continued at a rapid pace, statements on some news sites that “271 million deaths are expected due to the virus” created a new agenda in the social media. These statements, based on a scientific, real article, were actually a misinterpretation of the article.
While the world has just begun to overcome a global epidemic such as the coronavirus, the world has been worried about a new epidemic in recent days. Monkeypox virus, which is usually seen in Central and West African countries, some Western European countries, such as the USA and Israel. in a total of 21 countries seen one after another. While the total number of cases worldwide is approaching 300, it was recently announced that the USA will start the vaccination of cases.
On the other hand, monkeypox virus has many misconceptions and misconceptions, just like at the beginning of the coronavirus. to false information started hosting. The last of these was seen in the news shared by some media organizations today. Based on an article published in Spain, the news in question claimed that the virus would kill 271 million people. But the article didn’t say that.
The news does not reflect the truth:
Released by NTI (Nuclear Threat Initiative), dated November 2021 and “Strengthening Global Systems to Prevent and Respond to Serious Biological ThreatsThe article titled ” featured the results of a study conducted in 2021 in partnership with the Munich Security Conference. The summary of the article actually shows that the news in question is false:
“In March 2021, the NTI has launched a program to reduce high-consequence biological threats. partnered with the Munich Security Conference to conduct a desktop exercise. The exercise explored gaps in national and international biosecurity and pandemic preparedness architectures, exploring opportunities to improve prevention and response capabilities for biological events with serious consequences. This report summarizes the exercise scenario, key findings from the discussion, and actionable recommendations for the international community.”
- Desktop exercises are where team members meet in an informal classroom setting to discuss their role and response to a particular emergency during an emergency. discussion sessions.
created in the study SCENARIO:
In the study, in which many experts participated, the team determined what could happen in a monkeypox epidemic. handled within the framework of ‘scenario’ and argued. What can happen in a possible epidemic, by the team with hypothetical histories and fictional countries transferred as follows:
- June 5, 2022: A monkey virus epidemic occurs in Brinia, a population of 250 million, with 1,421 cases and 4 deaths. There is no evidence of international spread. The Brinia government seeks medical support from the World Health Organization. Studies on the virus indicate that the mutation in Brinia makes it immune to current vaccines.
- January 10, 2023: 83 countries are affected, there are 70 million cases, 1.3 million people died. Countries resort to non-drug interventions because there is no effective treatment available. Countries like the Republic of Dranma take drastic measures to curb the spread of the virus. Countries like Cardus take the virus lightly and look to protect their economies. In these countries, the outcome of the epidemic will be more serious.
- May 10, 2023: There are 480 million cases, 27 million deaths. At this point, the participants learn that the epidemic was caused by a regional bioterrorism attack that far exceeded the targets of the perpetrators. The Brinia government reveals that the engineered virus was developed illegally at the leading virology institute in its neighboring country, Arnica. It is learned that the independent Arnica terrorist group SPA is behind the work.
- December 1, 2023: There are 3.2 billion cases, 271 million deaths. The work ends here with a roundtable discussion. This discussion considers the gaps in worldwide public health preparedness and the need for more effective funding mechanisms to accelerate preparedness for the pandemic. In the study, it was accepted that preparedness for the epidemic requires costly investments that low- and middle-income countries cannot afford to make.
In other words, a fictional work was interpreted as if it would happen in the real world:
This study by NTI simulating a fictitious epidemic is based on the current monkeypox epidemic. interpreted as expected to occur has been served. While concerns about a new pandemic continued, the publication of such a news was naturally on the agenda.