Introduction:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suggested a name change for monkeypox. The infection-causing disease known as “mpox” would be the preferred synonym for monkeypox.
The global health authority has explained the name change was due to racist slang and stigmatising language that surfaced online during the outbreak of the disease in 2022.
“WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages others to follow these recommendations, to minimize any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name,” the world health body said.
What is monkeypox disease?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined monkeypox as a “disease caused by infection with a virus, known as Monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.”
Research showed that the virus that causes the disease was discovered in 1958 after two mpox-like outbreaks occurred in a monkey colony. The source of the disease remains unknown despite the name “monkeypox.”
Scientists suspect African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus that infects people.
According to the U.S. CDC, the first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, the disease spread across the world in 2022. “Before that, cases of mpox in other places were rare and usually linked to travel or to animals being imported from regions where mpox is endemic,” the U.S. CDC said.
Types of viruses that cause mpox
Research showed that there are two types of viruses that cause mpox, clade I and clade II.
The U.S. CDC has noted Clade I is “responsible for the current rise of cases in Central and Eastern Africa. Historically, clade I caused higher numbers of severe illnesses than clade II, with up to 10% of people dying from it. Recent outbreaks have seen much lower death rates of about 1-3.3%.”
However, Clade II is the type of virus responsible for the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II mpox are generally less severe, the U.S. CDC has said. This type of virus is endemic to West Africa.
Data showed that both types of virus can spread through close contact (intimate contact) with a person with the disease, direct contact with contaminated materials, and direct contact with infected animals.
It also been established that people with mpox can pass the disease on to others until all sores have healed and a new layer of skin has formed. “Some people can be infected without developing any symptoms. Although getting mpox from someone who is asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) has been reported, information is still limited on how common it is,” the WHO has said.
Signs and symptoms
According to the WHO, mpox causes signs and symptoms that usually begin within a week and beyond 21 days after exposure. It has been established that the symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks. However, it may last longer in some people if the immune system is weakened.
The typical symptoms of mpox are rash, fever, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. “For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have fever, muscle aches, or sore throat first,” the WHO said.
“The mpox rash often begins on the face and spreads over the body, extending to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also start on other parts of the body where contact was made, such as the genitals. It starts as a flat sore, which develops into a blister filled with liquid that may be itchy or painful. As the rash heals, the lesions dry up, crust over and fall off,” the global health authority noted.
Research has revealed that some people, including children, pregnant women, people with a history of eczema, and people with weak immune systems, people living with HIV that is not well controlled, are at higher risk for severe illness and death due to complications from mpox.
The WHO has noted that some people may experience a few skin lesions, while others may experience hundreds or more. These can appear anywhere on the body, including the palms of hands and soles of feet, face, mouth and throat, groin and genital areas, and anus.
Treatment and prevention of mpox
Studies showed that the main objective of treating MPox is to “take care of the rash, manage pain, and prevent complications.” However, getting an MPox vaccine has proven essential in preventing the infection (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
There are several ways to protect oneself against mpox, including getting vaccinated, checking with one’s healthcare provider to find out if the mpox vaccine is recommended, and avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
The U.S. CDC has recommended avoiding contact with materials used by a person with the disease, including sharing cooking and eating utensils and cups and bedding or clothing.
For persons who have contracted pox, it is recommended that such persons isolate themselves at home, cover their lesions, and wear a mask if they must be around family members or friends.
Also, the U.S. CDC has asked persons living in Western or Central Africa where mpox occurs regularly to avoid contact with live or dead wild animals.
Stigma and discrimination
The WHO has strongly disliked the stigma and discrimination associated with any disease. “Stigma and discrimination for any disease are never acceptable,” the global health authority said.
The World Health Body noted that stigma and stigmatisation linked to mpox could undermine public health efforts and responses by governments because people would be reluctant to come forward to seek care and treatment.
“For mpox, stigma, discrimination, and racism have been particularly directed against communities initially most affected by the disease, namely men who have sex with men, trans people, and gender diverse communities,” the WHO said.
Name change from monkeypox to mpox
The WHO said when there was an outbreak of monkeypox in 2022, it noticed racist and stigmatising language online and in some communities.
Also, the WHO noted that concerns raised by individuals and countries amplified the campaign for a name change.
“Assigning names to new and, very exceptionally, to existing diseases is the responsibility of WHO under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the WHO Family of International Health Related Classifications through a consultative process which includes WHO Member States,” the WHO said.
Both names were used simultaneously for one year, from 2022 to 2023, while “monkeypox” was phased out.
As of Sept. 13, 2024, the disease would no longer be monkeypox. The name mpox has become the most acceptable name now.
