The D.C. Department of Health and Whitman-Walker Health are closely monitoring an outbreak of a new, more virulent strain of Mpox in several African nations that prompted the World Health Organization on Aug. 15 to declare the outbreak a global health emergency.

LGBTQ health advocates in Los Angles have been working with that city’s public health officials to ensure the LGBTQ community, especially gay and bisexual men, become vaccinated with the existing Mpox vaccine, which is deemed effective in preventing or lessening the severity of an Mpox infection.

In the 2022 Mpox outbreak in the U.S., men who have sex with men accounted for the largest number of Mpox cases, with more than 90 percent of the cases occurring in men who were gay, bi, or straight.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which closely monitored and took action to curtail the 2022 Mpox outbreak in the U.S., has said no cases so far of the more virulent strain in Africa, referred to as the clade 1 strain, have been documented in the U.S.

But CDC officials, along with officials with the D.C. Department of Health, referred to as D.C. Health, and Whitman-Walker Health, say they are taking steps to ensure they are prepared if the new strain surfaces in the U.S. and in the D.C. area.

International health officials expressed concern after at least one case of a person infected with the new more virulent strain was diagnosed in Sweden, marking the first case outside the African continent. Information surfacing from Africa in August showed that at least 500 people had died from Mpox in the current outbreak.

“D.C. Health is monitoring the situation very closely and taking the necessary steps to ensure preparedness,” according to a statement released by D.C. Health to the Washington Blade

“We have treated over 300 patients with Mpox, with most of the cases occurring in 2022,” a statement released on Sept. 9 by Whitman-Walker Health says. “We continue to see sporadic cases, with 11 cases in the last year,” the statement says. It says the most recent Mpox case it has treated occurred this July.

Dr. Kyle Benda, who serves as manager of Whitman-Walker’s Sexual Medicine and Acute Rapid Treatment Clinic, said all of the Mpox patients Whitman-Walker has seen have had the less virulent strain of Mpox that surfaced in the 2022 outbreak in the U.S. and worldwide —  referred to as clade 2 Mpox.

“We have not seen any cases recently or cases we believe to be due to the clade 1 outbreak occurring in Africa,” Benda told the Blade. “We have been able to treat patients with Mpox through use of tecovirimat obtained from the CDC through their expanded access program.”

He was referring to the medication approved in 2022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an effective treatment for Mpox.

Similar to nationwide U.S. data, statistics released by D.C. Health about the demographic breakdown of the 2022-2023 Mpox outbreak in D.C. shows that men, especially African-American men, along with gay and bisexual men, made up the largest number of Mpox cases.

The D.C. data show that men made up 96.3 percent of the D.C. cases, with women making up 1.8 percent of the cases. The data show that gay men accounted for 54.8 percent of the cases, bisexuals accounted for 6.7 percent of the cases, and those whose sexual orientation was unknown accounted for 31.4 percent of the cases.

The CDC and other health experts have pointed out that Mpox is transmitted from skin-to-skin contact, including contact with someone who may have body sores and through bodily fluids, as well as from shared bedding or clothing. Sexual contact is one of the leading modes of transmission, the experts have said.

The most common symptoms, health officials have said, include pimples or blisters on the face, body, and genitals. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, or swelling of the lymph nodes.

Benda said Mpox transmission from sexual relations, especially for gay and bisexual men, often occurs when the typical outbreak of sores or blisters on the skin occurs internally such as in the anal canal and is not immediately detectable in the early stage of the infection.

Like other health officials, LGBTQ health advocates say the most important steps to take for those at risk for Mpox, especially gay and bi men, is to get vaccinated. The vaccination requires one injection followed by a second dose injection 28 days later.

Benda said Whitman-Walker has the vaccination shots to give to anyone who feels they may be at risk for Mpox, including people who are not currently enrolled as a Whitman-Walker patient. The statement released by D.C. Health says the vaccinations are widely available throughout the city at most pharmacies and health and medical offices.

It says for those who may not have insurance coverage for the cost of the vaccination and who may be economically challenged, they can get vaccinated at the D.C. Health and Wellness center at 77 P St., N.E. 

“We encourage all of our patients who may have an increased risk of Mpox to get vaccinated, particularly patients who may have had only one does of the two-dose series or who have not been vaccinated at all,” Whitman-Walker’s Benda told the Blade.

Health experts, including officials with D.C. Health, have said the mostly widespread access to the Mpox vaccine is what resulted in the dramatic decline in the number of cases in the U.S. and the D.C. area in later 2023 and 2024.

When asked if a booster shot may be needed for those who have been fully vaccinated in the past two years, D.C. Health said in its statement, “Currently, there is no recommendation for more than two doses in most people.” 

The statement adds, “Those with an occupational risk, like research laboratorians who handle cultures or animals contaminated with Mpox virus directly, are recommended to receive booster doses at 2 – 10 years depending on the nature of their work.”

Data released by D.C. Health shows that out of the total number of vaccinations given in D.C. as of earlier this year, 83.4 percent of those vaccinated were men and 74.5 percent of those vaccinated were gay men. The data show 12.2 percent were bisexual, and 0.9 percent were lesbian. Women consisted of 6.5 percent of D.C. residents receiving the Mpox vaccine. 

Venezuela’s LGBTQ community is in an extremely vulnerable situation due to the increasing repression and systematic human rights violations that President Nicolás Maduro’s regime has perpetrated after July 28’s disputed election.

Local activists and international organizations have widely documented the situation, and the queer community is one of the groups most affected by this wave of repression.

A prominent Venezuelan LGBTQ activist, who has requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, has described the situation as desperate. 

“In Venezuela, unlike most Latin American countries, no meaningful recognition has been achieved for the LGBTIQ+ population,” she said in an interview with Washington Blade from Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. “There is no equal marriage, no identity recognition for trans people, and existing anti-discrimination laws are never enforced in practice. This has led the community to seek new forms of resistance, such as supporting opposing candidates.”

The activist highlighted the lack of recognition and protection of rights has led to a consolidation around presidential candidate Edmundo González and other opposition figures. 

American Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other global figures say González defeated Maduro in the July 28 election. González on Sept. 8 arrived in Spain where he received asylum.

The Maduro regime since the disputed election has launched a fierce crackdown on human rights.

Hate speech from Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who has called transgender people “human aberrations,” and others has intensified the climate of hostility.

Diosdado Cabello, the political head of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, has launched systematic attacks against LGBTQ activists who are fighting for civil and democratic rights. Repression has increased in the wake of the election, with more than 1,500 arbitrary arrests and summary convictions.

The situation is even more critical for LGBTQ activists, who have been targeted for illegal searches and arbitrary arrests.

Among the prominent cases is that of Yendri Velasquez, an activist who authorities detained at Caracas’s Simón Bolívar International Airport after they arbitrarily revoked his passport. Although he was released, his case highlights the dangerousness of the situation. 

“Other cases, such as that of Nelson Merino and the recent raids on the homes of Koddy Campos and Leandro Viloria, underscore the imminent risk faced by LGBTIQ+ rights defenders,” said the activist who spoke anonymously with the Blade 

In a context of increasing repression, the Venezuelan National Assembly recently passed a law that severely limits the operations of NGOs, endangering many organizations working to defend human rights. 

“This law follows the model of repression observed in Nicaragua, where civil society organizations have been dissolved en masse,” said the activist from Caracas. “The cancellation of more than 23,000 passports without legal justification has been reported, a measure that affects numerous citizens, including the LGBTIQ+ community seeking asylum abroad.” 

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has denounced the situation in Venezuela as a case of “State Terrorism.”

“The LGBTIQ+ community in Venezuela, already one of the most vulnerable, now faces exacerbated risk due to systematic repression and human rights violations,” said the activist, who urged the international community to intervene. “The situation is critical and international pressure is our only hope to stem this wave of repression and protect those on the front lines of defending our rights.”

“In this context of oppression and violence, Venezuela’s LGBTIQ+ community continues to face monumental challenges in its struggle for equality and justice, while the government appears increasingly authoritarian and repressive,” she added.

South African LGBTQ organizations have condemned the tragic murder of a lesbian couple in Dambuza near Pietermaritzburg on Aug. 27.

Reports indicate the couple — Nombulelo Thandathina Bixa, 28, and Minenhle Ngcobo, 22, — were shot dead by Ngcobo’s ex-boyfriend who was reportedly not happy with her recent relationship with Bixa. 

Bixa was laid to rest on Sept. 5. Ngcobo was buried on Sunday.

ILORA, an LGBTQ rights organization, says the couple’s murder has left their families, friends, and the broader community in profound grief.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who are mourning and call for justice for our fallen siblings,” said ILORA. “Together, we must continue to fight against the violence and hatred that threaten our lives and communities.”

Uthingo Network, another LGBTQ rights organization, said the couple’s death was a horrific incident that could have been averted, noting Ngcobo’s ex-boyfriend had been harassing them and ignored a protection order.

“This brutal act highlights the deep-seated homophobia and violence that persists in South Africa, especially in rural areas where LGBTI+ individuals are often marginalized and under protected,” said the group in a statement. “The systemic lack of awareness and understanding in these communities contributes to an environment where such hate crimes can occur frequently and with little consequence.” 

“The fear of further victimization often silences those who seek justice, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of violence and impunity,” added the Uthingo Network.

The Uthingo Network also said it is calling for urgent and comprehensive action at all levels — including more vigorous enforcement of hate crime laws, training for police officers on LGBTQ issues, and community-based education programs to challenge harmful prejudices. 

“Uthingo Network urges the government, civil society, and individuals to stand together against all forms of hatred and violence, working towards a future where no one is targeted for who they are or who they love,” said the group.

Gay man killed outside his home on Aug. 18

Xolani Xaka, a 32-year-old gay man from Gqeberha, was murdered outside his home on Aug. 18.

A family representative said Xaka heard noises at the gate of the home he shared with his uncle. He went to investigate, and three men confronted him, repeatedly stabbing him until he was dead.

The three men fled.

“LGBTIQ+ people should not have to live in fear of discrimination and deadly violence simply because of who they love or their gender identity,” said OUT Civil Society Engagement Officer Sibonelo Ncanana. “We call on the authorities to act with urgency to arrest and prosecute the men alleged to have callously taken another queer life.” 

Ncanana said no arrests have been made, even though authorities continue to investigate Xaka’s murder. A motive remains unclear.

Crimes against LGBTQ South Africans remain prevalent, even though the country is the only one in Africa that constitutionally recognizes rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and President Cyril Ramaphosa in May signed the Preventing and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. Activists say homophobic and transphobic religious and cultural beliefs contribute to continued attacks against LGBTQ South Africans.

Steve Letsike, a lesbian who won a seat in the South African National Assembly earlier this year, on June 30 became the country’s deputy minister of women, youth and people with disabilities. Activists are hopeful she will work to raise awareness for the need to protect LGBTQ South Africans.