WHO considers renaming "monkeypox" to avoid discrimination toward Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently considered changing the official name of "monkeypox," which is spreading worldwide. It is a measure to avoid causing discrimination against a specific race or ethnic group.

On June 13th (local time), WHO said it was gathering experts to consider the proper official name for monkeypox, according to Bloomberg News. WHO has changed its name quickly in the past when SARS and COVID-19 were called Chinese virus, Wuhan virus without official name.

On second week of June, about 30 experts from around the world demanded that "the fact that we were infected with monkeypox induces racial discrimination and we need to change the name immediately."

Experts say, "Monkeypox, like other diseases, has been confirmed to be transmitted all over the world. It can harm anyone, regardless of race or ethnicity. It is mentioned or named in association with Africa. That is not only inaccurate but also discriminatory."

Monkeypox, which has become endemic in Central and West Africa, has been reported to be infected by about 1,300 people in more than 24 countries. In addition, infections in various types of mammals have been confirmed, and it is not known exactly which species originated.

In response, the African Foreign Press Association (FPAA) demanded that Western media such as the United States and the United Kingdom stop using black photographs at the end of last month when reporting on monkeypox.