New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering renaming the monkeypox virus to avoid the stigma and discrimination associated with it. As the WHO convenes an emergency committee to determine whether the expanded monkeypox outbreak should be considered a global health emergency, the scientists also called for the name “non-discriminatory and non-stigmatising”.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “WHO is also working with partners and experts around the world to change the name of the #monkeypox virus, its group and the disease it causes. We will announce new names. . as soon as possible.”
“WHO is also working with partners and experts around the world on renaming #monkeypox Virus, its groups and diseases caused by it. We will announce new names as soon as possible”-@Dr Tedros— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) 14 June 2022
The development comes after several scientists from 11 countries called for the need to cut out the “discriminatory” language that is used to differentiate them. monkeypox virus In a report released last week.
The scientists put forward an “urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox” in a preprint posted on virological.org.
Meanwhile, the number of monkeypox cases in the UK exceeded 500 on Wednesday, according to the latest official figures.
The UK Health Protection Agency (UKHSA) said it had detected 52 additional cases of monkeypox In England, one in Scotland and one in Wales, the total number of confirmed cases in Britain rose to 524 as of Tuesday.
“Anyone can get monkeypox, especially if you have had close contact, including sexual contact, with a person with symptoms. Currently, most cases are in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men,” UKHSA said.
On the other hand, according to the latest figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases of monkeypox in the US have reached 72. Cases were found in 18 states, with California and New York reporting 15 each, reports Xinhua news agency.
(with agency input)