World Health Organization Looks To Change Monkeypox Name

The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering renaming Monkeypox to reduce stigma and avoid offending various groups. The naming process involves both WHO and the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). The ICTV is responsible for the scientific classification of viruses. Meanwhile, there are challenges in distributing Monkeypox vaccines globally, with Africa facing significant shortages. In the US, the FDA has authorized fractional dosing to increase vaccine availability. WHO is also changing how it names virus clades, moving from geographic names to numerical identifiers.

What is the reason behind the World Health Organization's decision to change the name of monkey pox?

What are the potential consequences of using stigmatizing names for diseases, as mentioned in the text?

What is the role of the International Committee on the Taxonomy of Viruses in relation to monkey pox?

What challenges are being faced in the distribution of monkey pox vaccines in Africa?

How does the World Health Organization plan to name the clades of the monkey pox virus moving forward?