World Health Organization will rename monkeypox because ‘it’s RACIST and discriminatory towards Africa’
- Monkeypox has 2 officially recognised types, West African and Central African
- Scientists argue linking the disease to these regions is racist and discriminatory
- They say current international outbreak is should instead be called hMPXVB.1
- WHO guidelines advise against linking viruses to regions to prevent backlash
By John Ely Senior Health Reporter For Mailonline
Published: 17:48 AEST, 15 June 2022 | Updated: 23:15 AEST, 15 June 2022
Monkeypox will be renamed following calls for a new ‘non-discriminatory and non-stigmatising’ term, it emerged today.
The World Health Organization (WHO) promised a new name for the rash-causing virus, endemic to Africa, would be announced ‘as soon as possible’.
As well as renaming the actual pathogen itself, strains will likely be lettered, such as A or B, to remove any mention of the parts of Africa where they were first spotted.
Over 30 researchers last week signed a position paper stating there was an ‘urgent need’ to change its name given the current outbreak, which has mainly struck gay and bisexual men.
It has already swept the world to strike 45 countries, including Britain, the US, Spain and Portugal.
They wrote: ‘Continued reference to, and nomenclature of this virus being African is not only inaccurate but is also discriminatory and stigmatizing.’
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO, has confirmed the virus will be renamed.
He said: ‘[The] WHO is working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of monkeypox virus, its clades, and the disease it causes.
