WHO to rename monkeypox virus to avoid discrimination

Urgent move to change name comes after scientists call it inaccurate' and stigmatising' as virus spreads

The World Health Organization has said it will rename monkeypox to avoid discrimination and stigmatisation as the virus continues to spread among people in an unprecedented global outbreak of the disease.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director general, said the organisation was working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of the monkeypox virus, its clades and the disease it causes".