(Health): World Health Organization Re-Named Monkeypox to "Mpox"

Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopox virus genus of the Poxviridae family. There are two distinct genetic clades of the monkeypox virus: the central African (Congo Basin) clade and the west African clade. 

However, since its emergence, there has been issues with its name. And following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO decided to begin using a new preferred term "mpox" as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while "monkeypox" is phased out.

When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier in 2022, racist and stigmatizing language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO. In several meetings, public and private, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns and asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) to propose a way forward to change the name.

Assigning names to new and, very exceptionally to existing diseases is the responsibility of WHO under the International Classification of Diseases and the WHO Family of International Health Related Classifications through a consultative process, which includes WHO Member States.

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