Monkeypox: WHO renames virus ‘mpox’ to avoid stigma
The World Health Organisation has decided to use ‘mpox’ for a virus previously known as monkeypox.
The global health organisation announced this in Geneva on Monday.
The two names will be used simultaneously for another year before only mpox will be used exclusively.
According to the WHO, the new name was chosen because it is easy to pronounce and can be used in many languages.
The virus itself is also to be given a new name.
This is the responsibility of an independent expert council (ICTV), but it has yet to decide.
The disease was called monkeypox because it was first discovered in monkeys in 1958.
However, monkeys had nothing to do with the outbreaks this year.
Instead, humans become infected through close physical contact with other humans.
Nevertheless, monkeys were attacked this year in Brazil, for example, because humans held them responsible for the outbreaks.
According to WHO guidelines, disease names should avoid references to specific countries, regions or animals.
In addition, the name should be easy to pronounce.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Rights
Police arrest four suspects, decry jungle justice by Benin residents
The police have arrested four suspects linked to the death of a man suspected to have been killed by a mob in Benin and condemned “incessant” jungle justice.
Economy
Many workers to lose jobs as Amazon shuts down wholesale business
“We don’t take these decisions lightly. We are discontinuing this programme in a phased manner to take care of current customers and partners.”
Education
FG reiterates commitment to return out-of-school children to classroom
“As we are all aware, the challenge of out-of-school children has continued to expose our future generation to serious dangers.”
Maiduguri
75% of counter-insurgency operations non-kinetic, Nigerian Army says
“What we are saying is that we know that the kinetic aspects of what we are doing are just about 25 per cent.”
Health
Healthcare: Bagudu approves deduction of 3% from civil servants’ salaries
Governor Atiku Bagudu has approved the deduction of three per cent of the basic salaries of civil servants to provide healthcare.
Economy
UK, Nigeria trade volume hit £5.5 billion: FG
“Of this £5.5 billion, total UK exports to Nigeria amounted to £3.3 billion in the four quarters of 2022, while total UK imports from Nigeria amounted to £2.2 billion.”
