World Health Organization Reveals New Monkeypox Label
In a drive to eliminate stigmatization and inaccuracy, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed to rebrand monkeypox as Mpox. This shift in nomenclature seeks to combat the racially charged and discriminatory language surrounding the original moniker, often tied to geographical origins or specific communities [3][5].
Dubbed the Mpox virus (MPXV), the virus behind Mpox is categorized into various clades. These include clade I and clade II, which may further consist of subclades like Ib and IIb [4]. However, no attempts at renaming these clades have been reported; they retain their scientific labels, based on their genetic and epidemiological traits.
The WHO's move to rename diseases, from monkeypox to Mpox, follows its policy of avoiding toponymic or geographic names that may result in unwarranted stigma or misconceptions [5]. The focus is on adopting clear and scientifically appropriate names to foster better comprehension and minimize the social stigma attached to diseases.
Last week, a group of international scientists published a comprehensive paper on Virological, arguing for the change [1]. They highlighted the inappropriateness of the term 'monkeypox' in the context of recent global outbreaks, which began this year. Originally discovered in monkeys in the 1950s, the virus's natural hosts are actually thought to be rodents [2]. Limited human outbreaks, predominantly in Africa, were driven mainly by animal-to-human transmission until this year.
However, the 2022 outbreaks have infected hundreds of individuals across more than two dozen countries, and there is solid evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. The genetic signature of the virus indicates it has been circulating outside Africa for longer than previously known [2].
Public health experts are working hard to contain the virus before it establishes itself in new parts of the world. The scientists behind the Virological paper emphasize that the global version of Mpox should no longer be considered or implied as an "African" disease, as stereotypical media representations only depict its visible symptoms on African residents [6]. As such, they've advocated for a "neutral, non-discriminatory, and non-stigmatizing" name and future labeling for the disease [6].
As a placeholder label for the virus that's traveling the globe, they've suggested "human Mpox" or hMpoxV[1]. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced earlier this week that the WHO would be working on a new name for the disease [6]. Interestingly, the WHO has followed a formal policy since 2015 of avoiding disease names that might have adverse effects on geographical regions, people, or economic sectors [5].
According to the WHO's policy, the body intends to avoid names like "Spanish flu," the incorrect nickname given to the influenza virus behind the 1918 pandemic (Spain was merely one of the first countries to widely report cases, and not the origin of the virus) [5]. The new WHO-designated name for Mpox will be followed by countries and public health organizations globally.
However, it's important to note that the WHO is not responsible for selecting the official scientific name of a virus; that duty falls to the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), a group of leading virologists in the field [6]. The WHO and ICTV names may differ, as demonstrated with the naming of covid-19 as the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, although the WHO and public health organizations may often refer to it colloquially as the covid-19 virus [6].
The scientists behind the Virological paper claim they've been in discussions with the ICTV as well, and it's possible that the WHO and ICTV may simultaneously announce their respective name changes, as they did with covid-19/SARS-CoV-2 [1].
Conclusively, the WHO is set to hold a meeting next week to determine whether or not the 2022 Mpox outbreaks warrant the classification of a public health emergency of international concern, an alert that was last issued for the ongoing covid-19 pandemic [6].
Enrichment Data Adapted:In addition to the base article, it is also worth noting that Mpox infections can cause a variety of symptoms, such as fever, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash [7]. The disease is transmitted primarily through close contact with infected individuals, including their body fluids, plush or porous materials contaminated by infected individuals, and pregnant women can pass the virus to their unborn babies [7]. There is no specific antiviral treatment for Mpox, and the majority of cases resolve on their own in 2-4 weeks [7].
Mpox is most prevalent in West and Central Africa, specifically in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic [7]. However, the disease has been reported in non-endemic countries as well, such as the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom [7]. Previous outbreaks of Mpox have occurred in 1970, 1986, 1996, and 2003 [7].
The global Mpox outbreak in 2022 has prompted many public health organizations, such as the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), to issue regular updates and guidelines regarding prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination for Mpox [7][8][9]. For instance, the CDC advises travelers to avoid contact with sick animals and to wear protective clothing, such as gloves and masks, when visiting areas where Mpox is prevalent [8].
The WHO's proposed renaming of monkeypox to Mpox focuses on adopting clear and scientifically appropriate names to minimize social stigma attached to diseases. The WHO's policy intends to avoid names like the incorrect nickname 'Spanish flu', which resulted from Spain being one of the first countries to widely report cases of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The scientists behind the Virological paper suggested "human Mpox" or hMpoxV as a placeholder label for the virus that's spreading globally. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced earlier this week that the WHO would be working on a new name for the disease. The genetic signature of the virus indicates it has been circulating outside Africa for longer than previously known, causing hundreds of infections across more than two dozen countries.
