The World Health Organization is planning to rename the monkeypox virus
to "MPOX" in an effort to avoid racist stigma surrounding the old
name. The WHO reportedly made this decision after a group of scientists expressed
concerns about potential discrimination connected to the virus's African origins. The scientists argued that "continued
reference to, and nomenclature of this virus being African” would be “discriminatory
and stigmatizing."
A formal announcement regarding the new name is expected at
any time, according to a report by Politico. It has been several months
since the virus first gained a foothold in Europe, the United States, and numerous
other nations.
The WHO said this past June that it would begin the renaming
process because “monkeypox” did not adhere to its current guidelines discouraging
the use of geographic regions or animals in the naming of viruses. The
organization has already renamed two variants of the virus emanating from the
Congo Basin clade and West African clade to the more generic “Clade I” and “Clade
II,” respectively. (For those of you who don’t know what clade means, as
I didn’t until about 20 minutes ago, here is the Merriam-Webster definition: a group of biological taxa (such as
species) that includes all descendants of one common ancestor.)
The monkeypox virus was first named in 1958 at a time when virus
names were typically related to the regions where the diseases appeared
to first proliferate. (See also the West Nile Virus, German Measles, and Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever.)
By contrast, WHO now states: "Current best practice is that
newly-identified viruses, related disease, and virus variants should be given
names with the aim to avoid causing offense to any cultural, social, national,
regional, professional, or ethnic groups, and minimize any negative impact on
trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.” Okay, that essentially leaves us
with “Virus 1,” “Virus 2,” “Virus 3,” etc., which doesn’t really tell us much,
but WHO am I to opine?
“MPOX” is much more hip and modern, and
is in keeping with the trend to shorten monikers. (Other than the acronym
LGBTQIA+ which seems to grow by another letter or symbol every year.)
“X-box,” “C-SPAN,” “J-lo,” “KFC”…”MPOX.”
Why not?
Will the WHO soon announce
that “chickenpox” has been rebranded as “CPOX?” If not, why? Is it somehow okay
to offend domesticated fowl and/or humans who lack courage?
It would be nice if the WHO,
an offshoot of the UN that claims to be responsible for “international public
health,” spent more time addressing legitimate health concerns and less on woke
monkey-business. (Sorry, “MBIZ.”)
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