GENEVA, Nov 28 The World Health Organization (WHO) will to use the new term «mpox» instead of «monkeypox» to refer to monkeypox due to racist and discriminatory remarks, according to a statement released by the agency on the organization's website.
«After a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using the new preferred term «mpox» in English as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year until «monkeypox» is phased out,» the document says.
WHO reports that when the monkeypox outbreak spread earlier this year, racist and stigmatizing language was seen on the Internet and in some communities.
«Considerations regarding recommendations included rationale, scientific feasibility, degree of current use, pronunciation, ease of use in different languages, lack of geographic or zoological references, and ease of retrieval of historical scientific information,» the organization adds.
Previously, a WHO expert panel officially renamed two variants of monkeypox that were considered discriminatory to Africa.
WHO has designated the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, but noted that the outbreak poses a moderate risk to all regions world, except for Europe, where the risk is high.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is also transmitted between people. It is usually a mild condition and most people recover within a few weeks, but complications can occur for some. The initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.
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