The accused of discrimination and stigma, the WHO will rename the monkey acne virus

Jimu News reporter Huang Jiaqi

In the context of the spread of monkey acne virus worldwide and outbreak, the World Health Organization stated on June 14 that it is considering re -naming monkey acne virus.

Those who are infected by monkey acne appear rash (picture source: Fox News)

Earlier, more than 30 scientists called for the name of the virus, saying that "urgently needed a non -discriminatory and non -stigma." They believe that the virus is "African virus" is neither accurate nor discriminatory.

These scientists said that the use of this naming method "violates geographical location in the naming of the disease". They urged WHO to change the name "African virus".

According to BBC reports on June 14, the Director -General of the World Health Organization Tan Dezai said that "WHO is working with partners and experts from all over the world to change the name of monkey acne virus, its variants, and the disease it causes. The new name will be announced as soon as possible. "

Since the beginning of this year, 39 countries have reported to WHO for more than 1,600 cases of diagnosis of acne and nearly 1,500 suspected monkey acne cases. Among them, 7 countries have previously existed monkey acne virus, and 32 are newly affected countries. 72 people have already died in the infected countries and regions this year.

The symptoms of monkey acne are similar to smallpox, but milder, infected people usually have symptoms of influenza -like, and then rash occurs to form lesions. According to reports, monkey acne virus will spread through human contact with people.

The WHO lists two known monkey acne variants on its website, "one is discovered in West Africa, and the other is found in the Congo basin area."

The spread of monkey acne virus was previously limited to parts of Africa, where rodents there were considered to be the main animal host of the virus.

Monkey acne virus particles (picture source: BBC)

In recent months, the acne virus has spread around the world in a different way, and many countries such as Canada, Italy, Poland, Spain and other countries have been affected. The latest statistics show that 470 cases of acne (as of June 12) occurred in the UK, and 65 cases (as of June 13) appeared in the United States.

As the case of monkey acne was widely reported, at the end of May this year, the African Foreign Media Association reported dissatisfaction with the use of black pictures during the U.S. and British monkey acne epidemic in the Western media and asked to stop this practice. The organization wrote: "Like any other disease, it can happen in any part of the world, torture anyone, regardless of race or ethnic groups." "Therefore, we believe that this disease should not have a difference between race or skin tone. "

A WHO spokesman said that the name of the disease "should be aimed at minimizing the negative impact and avoid committing offense to any culture, society, country, region, professional or ethnic groups."

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