Wed Sep 11 17:15:11 UTC 2024: ## India Reports First Case of Mpox, WHO Pushes for Name Change to Reduce Stigma
**New Delhi, India** – India has confirmed its first case of mpox in a young male traveler who recently returned from a country experiencing an outbreak. The individual, who has been isolated, has the clade 2 strain, considered less dangerous than the currently dominant clade 1b strain. Clade 1b, first reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has spread globally, including to the US, Europe, and Asia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been urging the use of the name “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” to combat stigma associated with the disease. The previous name, “monkeypox,” was criticized for its association with Africa and for fueling harmful stereotypes and discriminatory language, particularly against men who have sex with men. The name also inaccurately implied that monkeys are the primary reservoir for the virus, which are actually rodents.
The new name “mpox” is designed to be neutral, easy to understand, and free from geographical or animal-related implications. The WHO believes this shift will help to promote a more accurate and inclusive understanding of the disease.
This decision follows a pattern of name changes in the medical field to combat stigma and discrimination. For example, trisomy 21 was previously known as Down syndrome and even earlier as “Mongolism,” while leprosy was replaced with “Hansen’s disease.”
While changing the name is an important step, the WHO acknowledges that it is not a complete solution. Addressing harmful behaviors and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity is crucial to creating a society free from discrimination.
First Piper 