On November 28, 2022, WHO announced its recommendation of “mpox” as the new, preferred name for monkeypox disease. WHO issued this recommendation after consultation with global experts, and in response to racist and stigmatizing language online that was observed this year with the expanding outbreak of monkeypox.
CDC and WHO will adopt the term mpox in their communications. According to WHO, both names will be used simultaneously for one year while the name monkeypox is phased out. WHO encourages others to follow these recommendations, to minimize any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name.
Read more about WHO’s recommendation, rationale, and naming protocol: WHO recommends new name for monkeypox disease
Added December 2, 2022