Update on WHOs Monkeypox Renaming Campaign

Often disease names are chosen behind closed doors by a technical committee, but the WHO has decided to open up the process to rename Monkeypox to the public. After a slow start, dozens of submissions have now been made from a range of contributors including academics, doctors, and a gay community activist. The WHO said it would decide among the proposals according to their scientific validity, their acceptability, their pronounceability (and) whether they can be used in different languages. "I am sure we will not come up with a ridiculous name," said WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib. Read more from Reuters here. In addition, California health officials confirmed they are avoiding using the term "monkeypox" and will now refer to it as "mpox" or “MPX.”