Monkeypox — a zoonotic disease native to tropical rainforest regions of central and west Africa — has spread outside its usual range, reaching Europe and North America. Seeing the global reaction to this new pathogen prompted a few questions. How serious is monkeypox? Why were we not discussing monkeypox when it was causing dozens of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this year? Why are we not discussing other pathogens in the Global South right now? And as climate change worsens and zoonotic diseases spread more easily, how do we prepare? Ethan contemplates all these questions and more in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Maxwell Pociask, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Isabel Plower
Editor: Frank Hernandez
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Frank Hernandez
Ad Voiceover: Lindsay Cronin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.