World Health Organisation announced new term for Monkeypox, Mpox
The World Health Organization (WHO), is a global health experts organisation. It announced a new term for Monkeypox to be known as mpox, after complaints over racist and stigmatising language linked to the virus’s name.
The old term will be used alongside the new one for a year, before being weed out.
Mpox
Mpox was decided on after lengthy discussions between experts, countries and the general public. It can easily be used in English as well as other languages, the WHO said.
Human monkey pox was first identified in 1970 and named after the disease caused by the virus which was discovered in captive monkeys more than a decade before.
Since then, the WHO has introduced advice on naming diseases.
What is monkeypox and how do you catch it?
It stresses the need to minimise unnecessary negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare. Furthermore, to avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national or ethnic groups.
During the Covid pandemic, it recommended that variants were referred to using letters of the Greek alphabet because they were “non-stigmatising” and easy to pronounce.
This year, there has been unusual spread of mpox virus – a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox – in many countries outside central and west Africa, where it is often found.
In July, the WHO declared a global health emergency because of the worldwide sweep in people developing symptoms. This included a high fever and skin scrape or rash.
As per reports, a decline in cases has been observed for past several months. However, it was observed that in 2022 more than 100 different countries were affected from this disease. Therefore, prompting huge demand for vaccine supplies to protect those most at risk.
The US, Brazil, Spain, France and the UK have reported the highest total number of mpox cases this year. Globally, there have been 50 deaths from the virus.
Since May, the UK reported more than 3,500 cases. However, a rollout of vaccines to vulnerable groups helped drive down numbers following a peak in July.
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