Clip shows line for Walz's Nebraska rally, not mpox screening
- Published on August 27, 2024 at 19:24
- 4 min read
- By Nahiara S. ALONSO, AFP USA
- Translation and adaptation Marisha GOLDHAMER
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"Huge lines to get tested for monkeypox in Omaha, Nebraska," says an August 17, 2024 X post sharing the footage.
The same video spread in Facebook posts linking the spread of the virus to the presidential contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, claiming mpox is "this year's 'election variant.'"
The video also circulated on Instagram, Threads, Rumble and other platforms -- including in Spanish, French and German.
Formerly known as monkeypox, mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted through close physical contact (archived here). It causes fever, muscle pain, skin lesions and -- in an increasing number of cases -- death.
There are two subtypes of mpox: the more virulent and deadlier Clade 1, endemic in central Africa and now called Clade 1a, and Clade 2, endemic in West Africa. Clade 1b, an offshoot of Clade 1, prompted the WHO to declare its highest international alert level.
The current outbreak, which has caused a spike in online disinformation, is linked to a case in Asia and had not affected the United States as of August 27.
One of the posts on X credits the video to user John Jankovich, who posted it August 17, 2024 with the caption: "I can't capture a video that does this turnout justice for the Tim Walz rally here in Omaha, NE. #BlueDot" (archived here).
Jankovich confirmed to AFP that he recorded the video, saying in an August 22 X message that he took it "to share the large turnout and enthusiasm there was for the candidate."
He added in an August 23 X post that claims that the line was related to mpox are "completely and totally false" (archived here).
"It was a video showing the long line to get into the Tim Walz rally at the Astro at the La Vista City Centre," he said.
Keyword searches confirmed the Walz campaign held a rally at the theater in Omaha. Multiple news reports depict long lines to get into the venue August 17.
The buildings in the video match those seen on Google Maps Street View (archived here).
'Low' mpox risk in US
A spokesperson for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told AFP the risk of Clade 1 to Americans is "low."
"CDC is not recommending any general public screening for mpox," the spokesperson said in an August 22 email.
On its website (archived here), the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recommends testing for patients with rashes characteristic of the virus.
While vaccines are available for mpox, they are only recommended to patients with particular risk factors, including anyone with known exposure (archived here).
More of AFP's reporting on health misinformation is available here.
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