The World Health Organization (WHO) wants to rename monkeypox to "MPOX" in order to destigmatize the virus. US-based newspaper The Politico has reported that US officials urged WHO leaders to change the name as the virus gained a foothold in the country earlier this year.
The decision might be made public soon, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Reportedly, the United States is concerned that the virus' name is deepening the stigma. The country aims to boost the vaccine campaign.
According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US witnessed a spike in monkeypox cases in October. The data from the CDC show that there have been close to 30,000 infections in the US.
The first monkeypox case in the US was reported in Massachusetts in September. The US also reported the first death from monkeypox in the same month. More than 30 children tested positive for the monkeypox virus in the same month.
WHO also said that monkeypox cases in the US accounted for 60 percent of cases in August. Consequently, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) advised people to contact their doctors if they experience symptoms and urged them to take the vaccine.
WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency in July as cases were increasing rapidly across the world.
WHO said last month that monkeypox continued to meet the requirements of the International Health Regulations (IHR) for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). WHO also conducted the third meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee over the outbreak of monkeypox. In the third meeting, the WHO noted that "more countries have promptly responded to the outbreak.”
According to the CDC, the virus enters the body through broken skin, respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, and mouth).
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