WHO says it would use the word mpox for monkeypox and also urges others to use the same as the later name is stigmatizing
GENEVA: The World Health Organization on Monday said it would start using a new term, “mpox,” as a term for smallpox(Monkeypox) and urged others to follow the same after receiving complaints that the disease’s current name is the pox. Racism and discrimination.
“Both names will be used concurrently for one year while ‘monkeypox’ is being phased out,” the WHO said in a statement.
The WHO began a public review process to develop a new name for monkeypox earlier this year and received more than 200 proposals.
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The United States, one of the countries and organizations supporting the name change, welcomed the announcement. “We will do everything we can to break down barriers to public health, and reducing the stigma associated with the disease is a critical step in our work to end mpox,” said the US Secretary of Health and Social Services, Xavier Becerra.
