WHO Switches from “Monkeypox” to the Quirky “Mpox”
The World Health Organization has just rolled out a new nickname for the viral disease that has been on everyone’s lips for the past year—mpox.
They’re telling the rest of the world to drop the primate‑themed moniker and adopt the streamlined, science‑friendly tag.
Why the Change?
Long story short: the name “monkeypox” has been criticized for sounding racist and serving as a stigma that keeps folks from seeking help.
The WHO’s public consultation pulled in a whopping 200+ fresh suggestions, and the crowd‑sourced favorite turned out to be “mpox”.
What the WHO Is Doing
- For the next year the two names will run side‑by‑side (think double‑dose marketing).
- After that, “monkeypox” will take a nap—phased out for good.
U.S. Big‑League Support
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky tweeted, “We’re thrilled to step up with mpox. It’s about ditching stigma and opening doors for those hit hardest.”
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra echoed the sentiment—stigma cuts off care, and mpox is the antidote.
Popcorn‑Style Proposals
While most of the public’s suggestions were sensible (think “mpox” or “Mpox”), a handful were pure humour—like “Poxy McPoxface”, nodding to the infamous “Boaty McBoatface” saga. Even the jokers beat the more serious proposals in popularity tests.
How “Mpox” Wins the Science Game
- It is scientifically precise.
- It’s already widely used in health circles.
- Easy on the tongue—no tricky pronunciation.
Historical Snapshot
First spotted in 1958 on the first animal that showed symptoms, mpox has largely been confined to West and Central African nations.
But last year, the virus spilled into about 100 countries that hadn’t had it before—prompting WHO’s swift renaming mission.
WHO’s Naming Mission
Every disease gets a name that steers away from hinting at any country, animal, or ethnic group.
The WHO’s previous rebranding of coronavirus variants (Greek alphabet letters) baseballed the virus’s origins away from specific nations.
Time to Get Used to the Short, Sweet “Mpox”
If you’re still humming “monkeypox” at parties, you’re not alone—transition back to mpox takes a bit of practice. But with the WHO’s new naming policy, the next time that tiny virus pops up, everyone’s on the same page, without the primate stigma. Happy naming, folks!
