WHO recommends new name for monkeypox

© CDC/Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regnery Monkeypox is a rare but dangerous infection similar to the now eradicated smallpox virus.

The decision follows a series of consultations with global experts. 

Both terms will be used simultaneously for a year before the monkeypox name is phased out. 

“This serves to mitigate the concerns raised by experts about confusion caused by a name change in the midst of a global outbreak,” the UN agency said in a statement. 

Concern and change 

Mpox is a rare viral disease that primarily occurs in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa, but outbreaks emerged in other parts of the world this year.   

There have more than 80,000 cases, and 55 deaths, with 110 countries affected. 

When the current outbreak expanded, WHO both observed and received reports of racist and stigmatizing language online, in other settings and in some communities. 

“In several meetings, public and private, a number of individuals and countries raised concerns and asked WHO to propose a way forward to change the name,” the agency said. 

Naming new diseases 

The monkeypox name was given in 1970, some 12 years after the virus that causes the disease was discovered in captive monkeys. 

This was before WHO first published best practices on naming diseases in 2015. 

These guidelines recommend that new disease names should aim to minimize unnecessary negative impacts on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare. 

They should also avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups. 

Consultative process 

WHO assigns names to new and, very exceptionally, existing diseases, through a consultative process. 

Medical and scientific experts, representatives from government authorities from 45 countries, as well as the general public, were invited to submit their suggestions. 

Based on the consultations, and further discussions with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the agency has recommended adoption of the mpox synonym. 

Considerations included rationale, scientific appropriateness, extent of current usage, pronounceability, usability in different languages, absence of geographical or zoological references, and the ease of retrieval of historical scientific information. 

WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow suit.