Why New York wants the name of monkeypox changed

New York City has asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to rename the monkeypox virus. The reason: the name could stigmatize patients, and it could have racist references.

The request was made in a letter by New York City public health commissioner Ashwin Vasan to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday.

Vasan argued that the stigmatizing around that name could deter patients of many communities from seeking health care services necessary for their cure. He referenced the racist history the name could evoke for communities of colour.


"Continuing to use the term 'monkeypox' to describe the current outbreak may reignite these traumatic feelings of racism and stigma -- particularly for Black people and other people of color, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ communities," AFP quoted Vasan as saying in his letter.

The WHO itself had earlier floated the idea of changing the name. Contrary to what the name suggests, monkeypox does not originate in, nor is confined to monkeys.

Monkeypox, a viral disease infecting humans and some animals, was earlier endemic in Central and Western Africa, but is now being increasingly detected in the US and Europe. A few cases were detected in India as well over the past one week.