The World Health Organisation (WHO) has renamed monkeypox to mpox as the virus was originally identified for monkeys kept for research purposes in Denmark in 1958.
Following the outbreak of mpox, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns asking WHO to change the name, WHO said in a statement on Monday.
“Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out,” WHO said.
“According to these best practices, 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 statement added.
WHO added: “The issue of the use of the new name in different languages was extensively discussed. The preferred term mpox can be used in other languages. If additional naming issues arise, these will be addressed via the same mechanism. Translations are usually discussed in formal collaboration with relevant government authorities and the related scientific societies.”
WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow these recommendations, to minimise any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name, the statement said.
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