The GuardianThe Guardian

WHO to rename monkeypox virus to avoid discrimination

By Ian Sample

15 Jun 2022 · 3 min read

Editor's Note

Scientists have called for an urgent renaming of the virus as they feel monkeypox is inaccurate, discriminatory and stigmatizing. The name-change will happen soon assured the WHO director general.

The World Health Organization has said it will rename monkeypox to avoid discrimination and stigmatisation as the virus continues to spread among people in an unprecedented global outbreak of the disease.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director general, said the organisation was “working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of the monkeypox virus, its clades and the disease it causes”.

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