Throughout history, epidemics have often been accompanied by stigma, prejudice, and xenophobic attitudes. This scoping review sought to examine and map the existing literature on ethical considerations related to monkeypox (mpox) and to identify gaps in research regarding stigma associated with the disease. A thorough search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed Central, PubMed Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Google Scholar, covering the period from May 6, 2022, to February 15, 2023. Search terms included “monkeypox,” “ethics,” “morals,” “social stigma,” “privacy,” “confidentiality,” “secrecy,” “privilege,” “egoism,” and “metaethics.” The review followed the scoping framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley (2005), with enhancements recommended by Levac et al. (2010). The search yielded 454 articles, of which 32 met the inclusion criteria. Among these, six were primary research studies. The review revealed that the current mpox outbreak is accompanied by a marked increase in misinformation and societal stigma. The findings emphasize the negative effects of stigma and ethical issues on individuals affected by mpox. The results highlight the urgent need to raise public awareness, engage civil society, and foster collaboration among policymakers, healthcare professionals, and social media platforms. These coordinated efforts are essential to reduce stigma, prevent human-to-human transmission, counteract racism, and correct misconceptions surrounding the outbreak.
