With monkeypox on the rise across the globe, and fears of another COVID-style pandemic, people are starting to get a little twitchy again. In the case of Spirit Airlines, according to TikToker Jacqueline, too twitchy.
In a recent video, Jacqueline (@Jacqueline.ngu) claims that Spirit Airlines mistook her chronic eczema for monkeypox. The new infectious disease is potentially life-threatening and manifests in blisters, bumps, and lesions on peoples’ skin. The somewhat gnarly imagery of the pox has made it hard for an untrained layperson to discern between it and other chronic skin conditions.
The TikToker wrote in her viral video’s caption, “misinformation leads to discrimination/hostility. everyone with a non-contagious skin condition has been anticipating this #monkeypox#eczema.”
In the text overlay, Jacqueline explains that she was removed from the plane then questioned about her skin condition.
“They had me get off the plane in front of everyone along with my wife to interrogate me about the eczema i’ve had my whole life,” the caption read. “They asked me to provide medical documents and told my wife to watch her attitude. I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.”
According to the CDC, monkeypox is “a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.”
The first recorded case of the disease was “a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.”
In 1970, the first human contraction was recorded and since then, outbreaks have been contained to West African nations.
“People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth,” said the CDC regarding symptoms.
They also noted that a rash may appear near or on the genitals, hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. It progresses through several stages then scabs and heals.
In the comments of her post, Jacqueline called out Spirit Airlines. “@Spirit Airlinesmaybe teach your employees what monkeypox looks like before you catch hundreds of medical discrimination cases,” she wrote.