Publication

Title: Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus
Authors: Happi C, Adetifa I, Mbala P, Njouom R, Nakoune E, Happi A, Ndodo N, Ayansola O, Mboowa G, Bedford T, Neher RA, Roemer C, Hodcroft E, Tegally H, O'Toole Á, Rambaut A, Pybus O, Kraemer MUG, Wilkinson E, Isidro J, Borges V, Pinto M, Gomes JP, Freitas L, Resende PC, Lee RTC, Maurer-Stroh S, Baxter C, Lessells R, Ogwell AE, Kebede Y, Tessema SK, de Oliveira T.
Journal: PLoS Biology,doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001769.: (2022)

Abstract

We propose a novel, non-discriminatory classification of monkeypox virus. Together with the World Health Organization, we named three clades (I, IIa and IIb) in order of detection. Within IIb, the cause the current global outbreak, we identified multiple lineages (A.1, A.2, A.1.1 and B.1) to support real-time genomics surveillance.

Download: Full text paper

Citation: Happi C, Adetifa I, Mbala P, Njouom R, Nakoune E, Happi A, Ndodo N, Ayansola O, Mboowa G, Bedford T, Neher RA, Roemer C, Hodcroft E, Tegally H, O'Toole Á, Rambaut A, Pybus O, Kraemer MUG, Wilkinson E, Isidro J, Borges V, Pinto M, Gomes JP, Freitas L, Resende PC, Lee RTC, Maurer-Stroh S, Baxter C, Lessells R, Ogwell AE, Kebede Y, Tessema SK, de Oliveira T. Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus PLoS Biology,doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001769.: (2022).

Media Coverage of this Publication:


Why Experts Want to Rename Monkeypox - New York Times - 2022-08-23

Public health researchers say the term evokes racist stereotypes, reinforces offensive tropes about Africa and abets stigmatization that can prevent people from seeking care.


Rename monkeypox to remove geographic stigma, researchers say - Science - 2022-06-10

Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus. Proposal would avoid references to West African and Congo strains.



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