WHO calls on public for ideas to rename monkeypox
‘Poxy McPoxface’, ‘TRUMP-22’, and ‘Mpox’ are just some of the suggestions submitted by the public
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is asking for the public’s help in renaming the monkeypox virus due to concerns over misconceptions associated with the current name.
Disease names are often chosen behind closed doors by a technical committee, but the WHO has this time decided to open up the process to the public.
There have been recent calls for the disease to be renamed, with critics calling it misleading since monkeys are not the original animal host. In June, a group of scientists wrote a position paper calling for a name that was ‘neutral, non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing'.
‘It's very important we find a new name for monkeypox because this is best practice not to create any offence to an ethical group, a region, a country, an animal etc,’ WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib said on Tuesday.
So far, dozens of suggestions have been submitted through the WHO’s online portal. These range from technical (OPOXID-22), to political (TRUMP-22), to light-hearted (Poxy McPoxface). One of the more popular submissions so far is Mpox, submitted by Samuel Miriello, the director of a men's health organisation in Canada.
After convening a group of global experts on August 8, the WHO also decided to rename the two dominant variants of monkeypox. Previously called the Central African or Congo Basin clade and the West African clade, the strains will now be officially called Clade I and Clade II, respectively. The group also decided that Clade II consists of two distinct subclades.
The WHO said it would decide between the proposals based on ‘their scientific validity, their acceptability, their pronounceability (and) whether they can be used in different languages’.
Monkeypox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and can be identified by flu-like symptoms, distinctive rashes and lesions on the skin. The World Health Organisation (WHO) designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern in late July after cases of the disease were recorded in more than 80 countries where it is not usually found.
Related News
-
News Women in Pharma: Hiring Across the Gender Divide
In our monthly series, we interview women from across the pharmaceutical industry and supply chain to discuss the importance of gender diversity in healthcare, the workplace, and beyond. -
Sponsored Content Ashwagandha and Herbal Medicines: Pharma’s Next Big Opportunity
Herbal medicines and nutraceuticals have seen a surge in interest since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by patient interest in prioritising personalised and integrative medicines, the herbal ingredients industry is now faced with concerns pe... -
News Identifying Alzheimer’s Disease biomarker proteins with whole blood tests
A University of Manchester spin-out pharmaceutical company, PharmaKure, has reported successful study results for the quantification of Alzheimer’s Disease biomarker proteins with a whole blood test. -
News Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to boost mRNA vaccine initiatives in Africa with USD $40m
To address vaccine inequality and accessibility issues, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to deliver USD $40m to various biotech companies and vaccine manufacturers in support of mRNA vaccine development. -
News Updated – Changing abortion pill access according to the US FDA and Supreme Court
After the approval of the medical abortion pill, mifepristone, by the US FDA, states across the USA approach the distribution of the pill differently, some ruling against allowing access to the drug. -
News Revolutionising cancer treatment with mRNA-based therapeutics
Global market for mRNA-based oncology therapeutics expected to reach USD $2 billion by 2029, with promising results for the combination of mRNA candidates with immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat solid tumours. -
News Breaking Barriers: Innovations in Oral Solid Dose Form Bioavailability
The effectiveness of a medication often hinges on its bioavailability – the rate and extent at which the active ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream. When it comes to oral solid dose forms, such as tablets and capsules, the challenge lies ... -
News Choosing the Right CDMO Partner: A Comprehensive Guide
Finding the right partner for the development and manufacturing of your pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical products is paramount. This is where Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) step in, offering their expertise and infrastr...
Position your company at the heart of the global Pharma industry with a CPHI Online membership
-
Your products and solutions visible to thousands of visitors within the largest Pharma marketplace
-
Generate high-quality, engaged leads for your business, all year round
-
Promote your business as the industry’s thought-leader by hosting your reports, brochures and videos within your profile
-
Your company’s profile boosted at all participating CPHI events
-
An easy-to-use platform with a detailed dashboard showing your leads and performance