Monkeypox renamed as ‘Mpox’ to avoid racist stereotypes, WHO phases out former name amid global outbreak
Image Credit: telegraph india
To avoid racist stereotypes and stigmatisation, the WHO has recommended that the monkeypox virus be renamed "mpox". Both names -- mpox and monkeypox -- will be used simultaneously for one year while the latter is phased out, the WHO said in a statement on Monday. The change comes after a number of individuals and countries have raised concerns in several meetings and asked the WHO to propose a way forward to change the name.