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| Monkeypox given new name by global health experts | Monkeypox given new name by global health experts |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The virus formally known as monkeypox | The virus formally known as monkeypox |
| Monkeypox will now be known as mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced, after complaints over racist and stigmatising language linked to the virus's name. | Monkeypox will now be known as mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced, after complaints over racist and stigmatising language linked to the virus's name. |
| The old term will be used alongside the new one for a year, before being phased out. | The old term will be used alongside the new one for a year, before being phased out. |
| Mpox was decided on after lengthy discussions between experts, countries and the general public. | Mpox was decided on after lengthy discussions between experts, countries and the general public. |
| It can easily be used in English as well as other languages, the WHO said. | It can easily be used in English as well as other languages, the WHO said. |
| Human monkeypox was first identified in 1970 and named after the disease caused by the virus was discovered in captive monkeys more than a decade before. | Human monkeypox was first identified in 1970 and named after the disease caused by the virus was discovered in captive monkeys more than a decade before. |
| Since then, the WHO has introduced advice on naming diseases. | Since then, the WHO has introduced advice on naming diseases. |
| It stresses the need to minimise unnecessary negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare, and to avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national or ethnic groups. | It stresses the need to minimise unnecessary negative impact on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare, and to avoid causing offence to any cultural, social, national or ethnic groups. |
| During the Covid pandemic, it recommended that variants were referred to using letters of the Greek alphabet because they were "non-stigmatising" and easy to pronounce. | During the Covid pandemic, it recommended that variants were referred to using letters of the Greek alphabet because they were "non-stigmatising" and easy to pronounce. |
| This year, there has been unusual spread of mpox virus - a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox - in many countries outside central and west Africa, where it is often found. | This year, there has been unusual spread of mpox virus - a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox - in many countries outside central and west Africa, where it is often found. |
| Cases of mpox have been reported in 29 countries in Europe, as well as Canada, Australia and the US, prompting huge demand for a vaccine to protect those most at risk. | Cases of mpox have been reported in 29 countries in Europe, as well as Canada, Australia and the US, prompting huge demand for a vaccine to protect those most at risk. |
| In July, the WHO declared a global health emergency because of the worldwide surge in people developing symptoms, including a high fever and skin lesions or rash. | |
| However, cases of the disease have been declining for several months now around the world. | However, cases of the disease have been declining for several months now around the world. |
| The UK has reported more than 3,500 cases since May, but a rollout of vaccines helped drive down cases following a peak in July. | The UK has reported more than 3,500 cases since May, but a rollout of vaccines helped drive down cases following a peak in July. |
| Most people affected were men who have sex with men. | Most people affected were men who have sex with men. |