World Health Organization Will Give ‘Monkeypox’ A New Name To Fight Stigma

A year ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) appealed to the public to stop using location-centric names for COVID-19 variants, including “UK Variant” or “Indian Variant,” in order to streamline discussions and prevent discrimination. 

Instead, it decided to turn to the Greek alphabet for inspiration, naming the numerous variants that emerged in order of alpha, beta, delta, and so forth. 

Now, while COVID-19 may seen like it’s behind us, there’s another disease taking center stage in daily headlines: monkeypox. 

Monkeypox, as the disease has been referred to in the press, is caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox, but in a less severe form. This time, similar to with COVID-19, scientists have petitioned for the “urgent need” to rename the virus, so that it is “non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing” in the public eye. 

Additionally, as per the BBC, references to the virus as African are both unfounded and may cause discrimination towards the continent. 

According to NPR, over 3,100 cases of the disease have been reported worldwide thus far, and the WHO has said it will convene for an emergency meeting next week to decide if the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern—which does not bode well for those looking to return to normalcy following two years of the pandemic.  

In a briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the organization will be “working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of monkeypox virus,” and that the new names will be announced “as soon as possible.” 

[via BBC and NPR, cover image via Angellodeco | Dreamstime.com]