WHO has changed the name of Monkeypox disease to mpox

Tags: Science and Technology International News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 28 November 2022 has announced that it will term “mpox” as a synonym for  monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out.

WHO said that the disease's original name was considered “racist and stigmatizing’ in certain countries of the world. After complaints from some member countries WHO decided to rename the disease.

Assigning names to new and, very exceptionally, to existing diseases is the responsibility of WHO under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox disease as a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)", on 23 July 2022.It is the highest level of health alert which is issued by WHO.  

Monkeypox disease 

• Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa.
•  It was first identified in monkeys in 1958 hence it is called Monkeypox. It was first identified in humans in 1970.
• Because it was transmitted from animal to human it is called zoonotic disease.
• The first case of Monkeypox in the country was also reported from Kollam district of Kerala on July 14.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

• The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was founded on 7 April, 1948.
• Headquarters of WHO : Geneva, Switzerland 
• Director General of WHO:  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia.
• Member Countries : 194