The World Health Organization (WHO) is changing the name of monkeypox virus to “MPOX”.
The nomenclature change is an attempt to destigmatize the virus at the behest of President Biden’s administration, according to a Politico report that cited three unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
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Sources said senior Biden officials have consistently urged WHO to change the name and threatened to adopt new terminology without WHO approval.
According to the report, the Biden administration believes the name “monkeypox” carries an unnecessary stigma for people of color.
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The monkeypox outbreak continues to pose a global health emergency, which is WHO’s highest alert level, the UN agency’s Emergency Committee said in early November.
The WHO label, a “public health emergency of international interest,” is designed to trigger a coordinated international response and could unlock funding to collaborate in sharing vaccines and treatments.
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The United States has seen about 29,200 total cases of monkeypox within its borders.
The CDC states, “At this time, data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up the majority of cases in the current monkeypox epidemic. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has been in close personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. Take steps to avoid contracting monkeypox. If you have symptoms of monkeypox, see a healthcare worker.
Reuters contributed to this report.