WHO changes name of monkeypox to 'mpox'

Name change made due to stigma surrounding disease

Healthcare workers prepare monkeypox vaccines at the Test Positive Aware Network nonprofit clinic in Chicago. Reuters

People line up outside the Test Positive Aware Network nonprofit clinic to receive the monkeypox vaccine in Chicago, Illinois. Reuters

Dr Emily Drwiega from the University of Illinois Health and Maggie Butler, a registered nurse, prepare monkeypox vaccines. Reuters

An employee of the GGD Haaglanden prepares equipment to dispense the monkeypox vaccination at a vaccination location in Rijswijk, in the Netherlands. EPA

A health worker walks inside an isolation ward built as a precautionary measure for monkeypox patients at a civil hospital in Ahmedabad, India. on July 25. AFP

Crowds queue for monkeypox vaccinations at Guys Hospital on July 24 in London. Getty Images

A man receives a vaccination dose against monkeypox in London. Getty Images

A man receives a monkeypox vaccine at an outdoor walk-in clinic in Montreal on Saturday, July 23. AP

The World Health Organisation on Monday announced that it will now be calling the monkeypox virus “mpox”, after calls rose to change the original name due to stigma.

“When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatising language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO,” the global health agency said in a statement.

A spread of cases was reported in non-endemic countries such as the UK and the US earlier this year, prompting the WHO director general to declare a global health emergency.

As thousands of cases were recorded among members of the LGBTQ community, vaccination campaigns were rolled out around the world. Few deaths have been reported and global cases have greatly decreased since the outbreak peaked in August.

The “monkeypox” name was assigned to the disease in 1970 after the discovery of the virus in monkeys in the late 1950s.

“New disease names should be given with the aim to minimise unnecessary negative impact of names on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare, and avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups,” the WHO said.

Health departments in New York and San Francisco, two of the epicentres of the virus, changed the name of the virus to MPV and MPX, respectively.

“The previous name is an inaccurate and stigmatising label for a virus that is primarily affecting a community that has already suffered a long history of bigotry,” a statement from the New York City Department of Health read, referring to the LGBTQ community.

“Stigma is a shadow affliction that can follow viruses and drive people away from care, even when the illness itself is treatable.”

It is not yet known if New York and San Francisco will change their disease names to the WHO's new preferred term.

US monkeypox outbreak this summer — in pictures

People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine at a hospital in San Francisco, California. AP

California's governor declared a state of emergency over monkeypox, making it the third state in three days to take the step. AP

A man holds a sign calling for increased access to the monkeypox vaccine during a protest in San Francisco. AP

The mayor of San Francisco announced a local state of emergency over the growing number of monkeypox cases. AP

A pharmacist opens a freezer transport box containing the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox in San Francisco. AP

Vials of single doses of the Jynneos shot for monkeypox are seen at the vaccine hub at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. AP

A pharmacist removes a tray of vials of the Jynneos vaccine for monkeypox from a box containing 20 doses. AP

People queue a monkeypox vaccination site in California. AP

A public health worker administers the monkeypox vaccine in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Nurses speak with a person looking to receive a monkeypox vaccine at a drive-through vaccination site at the Westchester Medical Centre in Valhalla, New York. Reuters

People protest during a rally calling for more government action to combat the spread of monkeypox at Foley Square in New York City. AFP

People protest during a rally over the US response to the monkeypox outbreak in Manhattan, New York City. AFP

People queue to receive the monkeypox vaccine before the opening of a new mass vaccination site in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP

A person waits to receive the monkeypox vaccine in New York City. AFP