Fact Check: "73.8% of outbreak cases are infants, children, and adolescents."
What We Know
The claim that "73.8% of outbreak cases are infants, children, and adolescents" appears to be a significant overstatement. According to a study published by the World Health Organization (WHO), during the 2022–2023 mpox outbreak, only 1.3% of reported cases were in children and adolescents under 18 years of age (Hoxha et al., 2023). This data was derived from global surveillance of mpox cases, which indicated that the vast majority of cases occurred in adult men, particularly among men who have sex with men (Hoxha et al., 2023).
The report also highlighted that the outbreak predominantly affected adults, with children and adolescents making up a very small fraction of the total cases. Specifically, out of 84,614 confirmed cases globally, only 1,118 were in individuals under 18 years old (Hoxha et al., 2023).
Analysis
The claim's source appears to be misinterpreted or misrepresented. The 73.8% figure does not align with the data from credible health organizations. The WHO's findings clearly indicate that the overwhelming majority of cases during the mpox outbreak were among adults, and the percentage of cases in children and adolescents was consistently low, ranging from 0% to 3% across different regions (Hoxha et al., 2023).
Moreover, the reliability of the WHO as a source is high, given its role as a leading global health authority. The data is based on extensive surveillance and reporting mechanisms established during the outbreak, which lends credibility to the findings. In contrast, the claim lacks a verifiable source or context that could justify such a high percentage of cases among younger populations.
The discrepancy between the claim and the actual data suggests either a misunderstanding or deliberate misinformation regarding the demographics affected by the mpox outbreak.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that "73.8% of outbreak cases are infants, children, and adolescents" is incorrect. The actual percentage of cases in this demographic during the mpox outbreak was only 1.3%, as reported by the WHO. This significant difference indicates that the claim is not supported by the available evidence and reflects a misunderstanding of the outbreak's impact on different age groups.
