The World Health Organization said on Tuesday it would change the name of the monkeypox virus to worry it could feed racism and stigma.
Why it matters: The current name of the virus, which has infected more than 1,600 people in 39 countries this year and was first reported in Africa, does not adhere to WHO guidelines that discourage use of geographic or animal regions, reports Bloomberg.
What they are saying: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a briefing that WHO is “working with partners and experts around the world to rename the monkeypox virus.” its clades and the disease it causes. “
Overview: A group of more than 30 international scientists called for a name change last week, writing in a letter that “the continued reference and nomenclature of this African virus is not only inaccurate but also discriminatory and stigmatizing “.
- “The most obvious manifestation of this is the use of photos of African patients to represent smallpox injuries in the mainstream media in the global north.”
- There is also “a growing narrative in the media and among many scientists who are trying to link the current global outbreak with Africa or West Africa, or Nigeria,” the letter notes.
- “Like any other disease, it can occur in any region of the world and affect anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity,” the letter adds. “As such, we believe that no skin race or skin should be the face of this disease.”
It is worth noting: the announcement reflects a similar move after a growing mass of people began associating the coronavirus with China and the Chinese.