WHO urges change in monkeypox name

The World Health Organization, responding to complaints that the word monkeypox conjures up racist tropes and stigmatizes patients, is recommending that the name of the disease be changed soon to mpox.

Both names are to be used for a year until monkeypox is phased out.

The recommendation, issued on Monday, follows outbreaks that began about six months ago in Europe and the United States, prompting widespread fears that the pathogen could spread widely.

“WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow these recommendations, to minimize any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name,” the health organization said in a statement.